
A couple interesting theories to explain the unusually prolific bloom are proposed in this short news clip. Can two dryer than normal years actually trigger a stronger than normal bloom? Extremely interesting!!!

Across the southwest, an unprecedented natural event is taking place. The endangered Joshua Tree has come into full bloom across its entire range. Typically, only a small percentage of the trees flower at a time, and of those only a few of their branches hold flowers. Right now though, nearly every branch of every tree is in full bloom.
Articles on the extraordinary bloom have seen "print" on websites ranging from National Geographic to the New Scientist. The actual scientists quoted in the coverage really do try to convey just how much we don't know about what's going on here, Cameron Barrows of UC Riverside being an excellent and circumspect example. Nonetheless most of the writers come down solidly on the conclusion that the bloom is probably a result of global warming.
Joshua trees are a central component of the Mojave ecosystem. The trees rely on one species of moth almost exclusively for pollination, and the moth relies completely on the Joshua tree flowers as a nursery to for its larvae. After big blooms like this, rodent populations boom on an abundance of seeds.
Other theories about factors that could help set off bigger blooms include a cold snap in the winter or summer thunderstorms. But Cornett said those theories seem less likely in this case because drought is the common factor seen throughout the range of the Joshua trees lately.
Some biologists think the blooms are a stress response by the trees to climate change -- specifically, to much less rain. Joshua Tree national park typically receives between two to five inches of rain a year but this year only received 7/10 of an inch, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Some biologists have suggested that the trees benefited from late-summer thunderstorms last year or cool winter weather, said David Lamfrom, California desert manager for the National Parks Conservation Association.
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