Barstow Area

Barstow lies in the intersection of the three largest ecosubsections in the Mojave Desert; High Desert Plains & Hills (322Ag), Mojave Valley - Granite Mountains (322Ah) and Lucerne - Johnson Valleys and Hills (322An). The topology is generally the same with mountains, hills and plains in gradually differing combinations throughout all three districts. There is 322An (Lucerne) with steep hills but more pediments and plains, 322Ag (High Desert) to the west having mostly alluvial plains. 322Ah reaches into the deep heart of the Mojave and includes small mountain ranges as well as an even distribution of hills and alluvial plains.

The flora and fauna seem the same with populations varying acccording to favorable conditions. Whiptails in the shade, zebra-tails in the hot, sunny areas, etc. The Mojave fringe-toed lizard does not seem to have edged itself away from classic sand dunes to the east.

The geology of the Barstow region is spectacular and worthy of its world fame.

The climate in all three ecosubsections is similar with the exceptions of the south and west slightly milder than the area northeast toward Death Valley.