Condition of Joshua trees in the California desert is quite upsetting. Owing to climate change and drought, Joshua tree seedlings in the California desert are shrinking in size and in fact, dying before they are able to establish their strong roots.

Majorly, the trees are found in the Mojave Desert. Owing to shortage of water, the seedlings are shrinking and dying before have a spread of strong roots.

Study researcher, Cameron Barrows from the University of California, was of the view, “For Joshua trees, hotter, drier conditions are a problem — but a bigger problem is that what little rainfall occurs evaporates faster”.

Owing to shortage of rain, seedlings remain in a weak state and in fact, some Joshua trees have not reproduced in decades. It has been so many years that the Mojave region has not received its annual rainfall.

If the current conditions persist then there is a high probability that 90% of the trees in the park will end by the end the century. Joshua trees not only act as a refuge for desert species, but they act as a cultural signature of California's desert landscape.

Joshua tree, known as Yucca brevifolia, can grow as long as 40 feet in height and they can live more than 200 years. As per estimates, there are around 2.5 million Joshua trees. Loss of Joshua trees would be a massive one for California and to the world.