WEBVTT 00:00.083 --> 00:02.209 align:start FUNDING FORTHE DESERT SPEAKSHAS BEEN PROVIDED BY 00:02.209 --> 00:06.751 align:start ASARCO INC. AN INTEGRATED PRODUCER OF NON-FERROUS METALS 00:06.751 --> 00:09.375 align:start AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL MINERALS AND PRODUCTS. 00:09.375 --> 00:13.751 align:start ASARCO INC. ADDING VALUE TO NATURE'S RESOURCES. 00:13.751 --> 00:15.999 align:start AND HEADQUARTERED IN TUCSON, ARIZONA, 00:15.999 --> 00:18.042 align:start INTERGROUP HEALTHCARE CORPORATION IS A MANAGED 00:18.042 --> 00:20.999 align:start HEALTHCARE COMPANY SERVING MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION MEMBERS. 00:20.999 --> 00:26.167 align:start AND BY, THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH HERITAGE FUND, 00:26.167 --> 00:30.999 align:start ARIZONA'S LOTTERY DOLLARS WORKING FOR WILDLIFE. 00:30.999 --> 01:05.834 align:start [MUSIC AND NATURE SOUNDS] 01:05.834 --> 01:09.999 align:start NO ONE SEES THE WIND, NOT REALLY; JUST WHAT IT IT TOUCHES. 01:09.999 --> 01:12.167 align:start A LEAF SHIVERS IN THE CORNER OF YOUR EYE 01:12.167 --> 01:16.918 align:start AND YOU KNOW THE WIND HAS COME CLOSE. BUT THE WIND'S INVISIBLE 01:16.918 --> 01:20.334 align:start EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT GENTLE AND WHOLE BUILDINGS SHIVER 01:20.334 --> 01:24.042 align:start AND THINGS COME LOOSE FROM THE EARTH AND FLY. 01:24.042 --> 01:26.292 align:start HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS MOODY GHOST IS ALSO 01:26.292 --> 01:29.292 align:start A SYSTEMATIC AND PATIENT BUILDER. 01:29.292 --> 01:31.209 align:start THE DESERT'S SAND DUNES ARE MADE WITH A TOUCH 01:31.209 --> 01:34.125 align:start SO GRACEFUL THEY'RE NOT PILES OF SAND AT ALL. 01:34.125 --> 01:41.667 align:start THEY'RE CREATURES.THEY CREEP, THEY GROW, THEY'RE NOT THE SAME 01:41.667 --> 01:44.999 align:start TWO DAYS IN A ROW, LIKE LIVING THINGS. 01:44.999 --> 01:49.000 align:start IT'S REALLY THE WIND OF COURSE BUT WHAT AN ANIMATOR. 01:49.000 --> 01:51.999 align:start MAYBE IN WALT DISNEY'S WILDEST VISIONS THE EARTH 01:51.999 --> 01:54.999 align:start CAN CREEP LIKE A VAPOR. BUT THESE VISIONS 01:54.999 --> 02:01.334 align:start ARE REAL. AND THEY'RE MADE OF STONE. 02:01.334 --> 02:04.584 align:start THIS IS MATURE DUNE SAND. SAND IS CONSIDERED 02:04.584 --> 02:07.125 align:start MATURE WHEN IT'S GONE A LONG WAYS. 02:07.125 --> 02:09.125 align:start WHEN IT'S TRAVELED DOWN A LOT OF RIVERS AND BLOWN IN 02:09.125 --> 02:14.292 align:start A LOT OF WIND. AND THE WAY THAT YOU CAN TELL IT'S REAL MATURE IS 02:14.292 --> 02:17.292 align:start BECAUSE IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT THIS UNDER A MICROSCOPE, 02:17.292 --> 02:19.584 align:start YOU WOULD SEE THAT IT'S VERY FINE GRAIN, 02:19.584 --> 02:24.542 align:start VERY WELL ROUNDED, VERY--ON THE AVERAGE, SMALL GRAINS. 02:24.542 --> 02:28.501 align:start AND ALSO, THAT IT HAD A VERY HOMOGENEOUS COMPOSITION. 02:28.501 --> 02:35.876 align:start IT'S MOSTLY QUARTZ GRAINS, OVER NINETY PERCENT QUARTZ. 02:35.876 --> 02:37.999 align:start SOMETIMES SAND GRAINS CAN ROLL A MILLION MILES 02:37.999 --> 02:38.999 align:start JUST GOING BACK AND FORTH ON A BEACH 02:38.999 --> 02:41.999 align:start OR UP AND DOWN IN THE WIND OF A DESERT. AND THAT WILL REALLY 02:41.999 --> 02:45.834 align:start ROUND THE SAND GRAIN AND MAKE IT OBVIOUSLY VERY MATURE. 02:45.834 --> 02:48.999 align:start THE WIND HAS THE POWER TO MAKE A SAND GRAIN MATURE 02:48.999 --> 02:52.125 align:start BECAUSE IT CAN BLOW A SAND GRAIN A HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR, 02:52.125 --> 02:55.125 align:start WHEREAS A STREAM IS NEVER GOING TO GO THAT FAST. 02:55.125 --> 02:58.334 align:start A RIVER CAN FLOW SEVERAL MILES AN HOUR, BUT THE WIND 02:58.334 --> 03:07.999 align:start CAN CARRY IT FAST ENOUGH TO CHIP OFF ALL THOSE CORNERS. 03:07.999 --> 03:12.250 align:start THE SAND OF THIS DESERT ESSENTIALLY CAME DOWN 03:12.250 --> 03:16.626 align:start THE COLORADO RIVER. AND ALL THE TRIBUTARIES THAT COME INTO 03:16.626 --> 03:18.959 align:start THE COLORADO ARE CARRYING SAND, 03:18.959 --> 03:20.083 align:start AND SO IF YOU WERE TO GO OUT, 03:20.083 --> 03:22.042 align:start IF YOU LIVED SAY IN THE SOUTHWEST JUST ABOUT 03:22.042 --> 03:25.417 align:start ANYWHERE OR IN UTAH OR IN ARIZONA OR SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA, 03:25.417 --> 03:28.209 align:start YOU COULD LOOK AT YOUR LOCAL MOUNTAIN RANGE, 03:28.209 --> 03:30.999 align:start AND THREE HUNDRED MILLION YEARS FROM NOW, 03:30.999 --> 03:32.626 align:start THAT'S ALL GOING TO BE RIGHT DOWN HERE 03:32.626 --> 03:34.999 align:start IN THIS DESERT SOMEWHERE OR ALONG THE SEA OF CORTEZ. 03:34.999 --> 03:36.042 align:start THE REASON THAT'S HAPPENING IS BECAUSE 03:36.042 --> 03:37.999 align:start THE COLORADO RIVER IS TAKING ALL THOSE DRAINAGES 03:37.999 --> 03:40.834 align:start AND ALL THAT SAND'S JUST GOING DOWN TO THE BEACH. 03:40.834 --> 03:42.999 align:start AND ONCE IT GETS TO THE BEACH, 03:42.999 --> 03:47.667 align:start THEN IT FORMS--THE WAVES ROLL IT AROUND ON 03:47.667 --> 03:50.042 align:start THE BEACH FOR A WHILE UNTIL THE WIND COMES ALONG, 03:50.042 --> 03:51.751 align:start WE GET MOST OF OUR WEATHER FROM THE WEST, 03:51.751 --> 03:56.209 align:start AND THE WIND COMES IN AND BLOWS THE SAND OFF THE BEACH 03:56.209 --> 04:02.999 align:start AND THEN ACROSS THE DESERT AND CAN FORM DUNES LIKE THESE. 04:02.999 --> 04:04.999 align:start TWO OF THE SONORAN DESERT'S DUNE SYSTEMS 04:04.999 --> 04:09.000 align:start LIE ALONG EITHER SIDE OF THE LOWER END OF THE COLORADO RIVER: 04:09.000 --> 04:14.167 align:start THE ALGODONES DUNES AND THE MOHAWK DUNES. 04:14.167 --> 04:17.459 align:start THE DUNES.THE WAY THE SAND GRAINS MOVE IS IN 04:17.459 --> 04:19.792 align:start A LIGHT WIND, THEY JUST CREEP ALONG UP THE 04:19.792 --> 04:24.375 align:start BACK SIDE OF A DUNE UNTIL THEY GET TO THE TOP OF IT, 04:24.375 --> 04:25.250 align:start WHICH IS ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE, 04:25.250 --> 04:26.876 align:start AND THEN THEY JUST SPILL DOWN IN SHEETS 04:26.876 --> 04:29.250 align:start DOWN THE STEEP SLOPE ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE. 04:29.250 --> 04:31.667 align:start THAT'S CALLED THE SLIP FACE. 04:31.667 --> 04:34.042 align:start THE SAND GRAINS, WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY MOVING 04:34.042 --> 04:36.999 align:start IN A LITTLE BIT STRONGER WIND, WILL START TO BOUNCE UP 04:36.999 --> 04:38.999 align:start OFF THE GROUND AND BE CARRIED FOR A SHORT DISTANCE 04:38.999 --> 04:41.375 align:start IN THE WIND BEFORE THEY LAND BACK ON THE SAND DUNE AGAIN. 04:41.375 --> 04:43.959 align:start AND AFTER THEY'RE CARRIED FOR A FEW FEET AND LAND AGAIN, 04:43.959 --> 04:46.751 align:start THEY'VE DEVELOPED QUITE A BIT OF SPEED, AND WHEN THEY HIT, 04:46.751 --> 04:48.999 align:start THEY'LL KNOCK OTHER SAND GRAINS UP IN THE AIR. 04:48.999 --> 04:51.459 align:start SO, THE SAND GRAINS IN A LITTLE BIT STRONGER WIND 04:51.459 --> 04:53.459 align:start ARE ACTUALLY HOPPING UP THE SLOPE, 04:53.459 --> 04:54.959 align:start A PROCESS THAT WE CALL SALTATION, 04:54.959 --> 04:57.125 align:start OR JUST THE HOPPING OF THE SAND GRAINS. 04:57.125 --> 04:58.125 align:start AND THEN WHEN THEY GET TO THE TOP, 04:58.125 --> 05:00.792 align:start THEY CAN FALL DOWN THE OTHER SIDE. NOW THIS WON'T HAPPEN 05:00.792 --> 05:02.918 align:start IN A VERY SMALL DUNE WHEN IT'S JUST BEGINNING. 05:02.918 --> 05:05.999 align:start BUT, ONCE A DUNE GETS TO BE ABOUT FIFTEEN FEET LONG, 05:05.999 --> 05:07.792 align:start IT HAS ENOUGH LENGTH ON IT TO BE A, 05:07.792 --> 05:11.959 align:start KIND OF HAVE A SHADOW EFFECT FOR THE WIND. 05:11.959 --> 05:14.792 align:start SO, THE WIND BLOWING ACROSS IT IS PARTIALLY STOPPED, 05:14.792 --> 05:16.918 align:start AND IT CAUSES THE SAND GRAINS TO FLOW 05:16.918 --> 05:19.083 align:start IN LITTLE EDDIES ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF THE DUNE 05:19.083 --> 05:21.999 align:start AND STOP THERE AND IT'LL MAKE THE DUNES START 05:21.999 --> 05:23.999 align:start TO GROW BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER. 05:23.999 --> 05:25.999 align:start BECAUSE THE BIGGER THE DUNE GETS, 05:25.999 --> 05:28.876 align:start THE MORE IT BLOCKS THE WIND AND THE MORE SAND IS ADDED. 05:28.876 --> 05:30.876 align:start SO, IT'S THE MORE YOU GET, THE MORE YOU GET. 05:30.876 --> 05:32.834 align:start IT'S WHAT WE CALL A POSITIVE FEEDBACK PROCESS, 05:32.834 --> 05:35.959 align:start WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE IDEA THAT THE RICH GET RICHER: 05:35.959 --> 05:41.959 align:start THE MORE YOU GET, THE MORE YOU GET. 05:41.959 --> 05:44.292 align:start AFTER A DUNE GETS A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET HIGH, 05:44.292 --> 05:45.876 align:start IT CAN'T GROW ANY HIGHER BECAUSE THE SAND 05:45.876 --> 05:48.751 align:start IS BLOWING SO FAST THAT IT BLOWS THE TOP OFF THE DUNE. 05:48.751 --> 05:50.999 align:start SO THAT'S CALLED A NEGATIVE FEEDBACK PROCESS. 05:50.999 --> 05:53.918 align:start IT'S JUST THE OPPOSITE. ONCE THE DUNE GETS A CERTAIN HEIGHT, 05:53.918 --> 05:55.999 align:start IT HAS A SELF-REGULATING MECHANISM BY WHICH IT CAN'T 05:55.999 --> 06:02.792 align:start GROW ANY HIGHER BECAUSE OF THE WIND SPEED THAT IT GENERATES. 06:02.792 --> 06:05.999 align:start SOME OF THESE SAND GRAINS, IF YOU LOOK AT THEM CLOSELY, 06:05.999 --> 06:08.792 align:start CAN TAKE ON ALMOST A FROSTED APPEARANCE, SORT OF LIKE 06:08.792 --> 06:11.709 align:start FROSTED GLASS THAT'S BEEN SANDBLASTED OR SOMETHING. 06:11.709 --> 06:14.959 align:start AND THEY FOR A LONG TIME THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE OF 06:14.959 --> 06:16.167 align:start JUST THE SAND GRAINS RUNNING INTO EACH OTHER 06:16.167 --> 06:18.584 align:start AND BOUNCING OFF EACH OTHER AND MAKING IT FROSTED, 06:18.584 --> 06:20.584 align:start BUT NOW IT'S REALIZED THAT THAT'S NOT TRUE. 06:20.584 --> 06:22.667 align:start THAT THE FROSTING ON THESE LITTLE SAND GRAINS IS 06:22.667 --> 06:28.417 align:start A RESULT OF THE DEW ACTUALLY ETCHING THE GRAIN A LITTLE BIT. 06:28.417 --> 06:31.501 align:start AND WHEN IT DOES THAT, IT SHOWS YOU THAT SILICA, 06:31.501 --> 06:33.792 align:start WHICH IS WHAT SAND IS MADE OUT OF, EVEN THOUGH 06:33.792 --> 06:36.334 align:start IT'S A VERY HARD MATERIAL CAN BE SLOWLY DISSOLVED. 06:36.334 --> 06:38.667 align:start NOW IF YOU DIG DOWN FAR ENOUGH IN THIS DUNE, 06:38.667 --> 06:41.000 align:start YOU'RE GOING TO COME TO A PLACE WHERE IT'S DAMP AND 06:41.000 --> 06:42.999 align:start WHERE THERE'S ENOUGH MOISTURE TO REALLY START 06:42.999 --> 06:46.876 align:start DISSOLVING A LITTLE BIT OF THE SAND, JUST A TINY BIT. 06:46.876 --> 06:49.999 align:start BUT THAT DISSOLVED SILICA THEN IS IN THE GROUND WATER, 06:49.999 --> 06:52.292 align:start AND IT WILL MOVE SLOWLY OUT TO SEA. 06:52.292 --> 06:53.959 align:start AND WHEN IT GETS TO THE SEA, 06:53.959 --> 06:56.501 align:start A VERY INTERESTING SEQUENCE OF EVENTS BEGINS TO OCCUR 06:56.501 --> 06:58.918 align:start BECAUSE LITTLE SEA CREATURES, 06:58.918 --> 07:02.709 align:start THE PLANKTON OF THE SEA, DIATOMS AND RADIOLARIANS 07:02.709 --> 07:04.876 align:start AND OTHER SEA CREATURES, WILL BUILD THEIR 07:04.876 --> 07:07.959 align:start LITTLE SHELLS OUT OF DISSOLVED SILICA. 07:07.959 --> 07:10.000 align:start AND ONCE THEY'VE BUILT THEIR SHELLS OUT OF THIS 07:10.000 --> 07:13.999 align:start DISSOLVED SILICA, THEN THE ANIMAL FLOATS ALONG IN THE SEA 07:13.999 --> 07:18.834 align:start AND IT USES VARIOUS COMPOUNDS AND HAS A METABOLIC PROCESS, 07:18.834 --> 07:20.792 align:start JUST AS HUMANS DO OR ANY OTHER ANIMAL, 07:20.792 --> 07:23.292 align:start AND ONE OF THE BYPRODUCTS OF THE PROCESS 07:23.292 --> 07:27.000 align:start OF THIS PLANKTON IS WHAT WE CALL DIMETHYL SULFIDES, 07:27.000 --> 07:29.999 align:start WHICH IS A COMPOUND CONTAINING CARBON AND SULFUR. 07:29.999 --> 07:32.375 align:start AND WHEN THEY GIVE OFF THE DIMETHYL SULFIDES, 07:32.375 --> 07:35.834 align:start THESE LITTLE SEA CREATURES THAT ARE USING SILICA, 07:35.834 --> 07:37.999 align:start THE SAME STUFF THAT SAND'S MADE OUT OF, 07:37.999 --> 07:40.999 align:start THEY GIVE OFF THIS MATERIAL INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, 07:40.999 --> 07:46.999 align:start IT GOES UP INTO THE AIR AND FORMS SEEDS FOR CLOUDS TO GROW. 07:46.999 --> 07:48.584 align:start SO THE MORE PLANKTON THERE IS, 07:48.584 --> 07:51.375 align:start THE MORE CLOUDS WILL COVER THAT IMMEDIATE REGION. 07:51.375 --> 07:55.209 align:start THE MORE CLOUDS THERE ARE, THE MORE REFLECTIVITY THE EARTH HAS 07:55.209 --> 07:57.542 align:start IN THAT REGION, AND SO THESUNLIGHT DOESN'T HIT 07:57.542 --> 08:00.542 align:start THE EARTH AS HARD, AND THE SUNLIGHT BOUNCES OFF THE CLOUDS, 08:00.542 --> 08:02.667 align:start AND THE EARTH COOLS DOWN THEN BECAUSE 08:02.667 --> 08:04.626 align:start NOT AS MUCH SUN IS HITTING THE EARTH. 08:04.626 --> 08:08.876 align:start SO WE NOW REALIZE THAT THE PLANKTON ARE COOLING 08:08.876 --> 08:11.999 align:start THE EARTH TO SOME EXTENT, POSSIBLY SOME KIND OF 08:11.999 --> 08:13.667 align:start A NEGATIVE FEEDBACK PROCESS FOR 08:13.667 --> 08:15.918 align:start THE HEATING THAT THE EARTH CAN UNDERGO. 08:15.918 --> 08:18.999 align:start SO IT MIGHT BE A SELF-REGULATING THERMOSTAT 08:18.999 --> 08:20.542 align:start FOR THE EARTH THAT INVOLVES SAND, 08:20.542 --> 08:22.999 align:start OR INVOLVES SILICA FROM SAND LIKE THIS, 08:22.999 --> 08:26.918 align:start AND ALSO INVOLVES A LIVING CREATURE. WHEN YOU GET CLOSE 08:26.918 --> 08:31.709 align:start ENOUGH TO SEE ACTUAL GRAINS OF SAND, YOU'RE ALSO AT A GOOD 08:31.709 --> 08:35.000 align:start DISTANCE FOR WATCHING SOME TRULY LIVING CREATURES. 08:35.000 --> 08:37.292 align:start INSECTS MAKE HOMES IN THE WINDY DUNES. 08:37.292 --> 08:42.792 align:start BUT THEN INSECTS DIDN'T GET TO BE THE MOST NUMEROUS CREATURES 08:42.792 --> 08:47.999 align:start ON EARTH BY DECLINING TO ADAPT IN THE TOUGHER PLACES. 08:47.999 --> 08:52.125 align:start THE INSECTS IN THE DUNES HAVE TO ADAPT TO THE DESERT JUST LIKE 08:52.125 --> 08:55.876 align:start ANYTHING IN ANY DESERT AREA. AND THEY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT 08:55.876 --> 08:59.999 align:start THE HEAT AND WHAT TO DO TO AVOID THE HEAT. 08:59.999 --> 09:01.999 align:start SO THEY'RE MOSTLY ACTIVE DURING THE DAY, 09:01.999 --> 09:07.501 align:start IN THE MORNING AND IN THE EVENING. 09:07.501 --> 09:10.834 align:start THE FRINGES ON THE TOES OF THE SAND TREADER CRICKET 09:10.834 --> 09:14.209 align:start ALLOW THEM TO DIG THEIR DEEP BURROWS INTO THE SAND. 09:14.209 --> 09:17.999 align:start AND THE WAY THAT THEY CAN DO THIS IS THAT THEY WILL 09:17.999 --> 09:20.000 align:start ACTUALLY DIG WITH THEIR FRONT LEGS AND THE BACK LEGS HAVE 09:20.000 --> 09:23.999 align:start THESE FRINGES WHICH MAKE THEIR BACK LEGS LIKE LITTLE BASKETS. 09:23.999 --> 09:26.918 align:start AND THEY'LL THROW THE SAND OUT OF THE HOLE AS IF THEY'RE 09:26.918 --> 09:29.999 align:start TAKING BASKETS FULL OF SAND AND THROWING THEM OUT. 09:29.999 --> 09:36.584 align:start THE FRINGES PROBABLY ALSO HELP THEM WALK ON THE SAND 09:36.584 --> 09:38.626 align:start BECAUSE IT'S LIKE WEARING SNOW SHOES. 09:38.626 --> 09:40.834 align:start YOU'RE EVENING OUT YOUR WEIGHT ON THE TOP 09:40.834 --> 09:42.292 align:start AND YOU'RE NOT FALLING INTO THE SAND. 09:42.292 --> 09:47.751 align:start I'M SURE THEY CAN LOCOMOTE A LOT BETTER THAT WAY. 09:47.751 --> 09:51.000 align:start THE SAND TREADER SPENDS MOST OF ITS LIFE UNDERGROUND, 09:51.000 --> 09:54.834 align:start AND ESPECIALLY MAY AND JUNE WOULD BE HOTTEST TIMES 09:54.834 --> 09:58.334 align:start OF THE YEAR, AND IT'S ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY UNDERGROUND. 09:58.334 --> 10:02.042 align:start THE EGGS ARE LAID, AND THEY'RE ROOTED IN THE CHAMBER, 10:02.042 --> 10:04.542 align:start WHICH MAY BE UP TO TWO FEET IN THE GROUND, 10:04.542 --> 10:09.083 align:start AND THEN AFTER THE RAINS BEGIN IN THE SUMMERS, THE YOUNG WILL 10:09.083 --> 10:16.999 align:start START COMING OUT AND THEY'LL BUILD THEIR OWN BURROW. 10:16.999 --> 10:19.667 align:start THE GIANT HAIRY SCORPION, WHICH IS ALSO FOUND IN THE DUNES, 10:19.667 --> 10:23.876 align:start IT MODIFIES ITS BEHAVIOR THE SAME WAY OTHER INSECTS WOULD 10:23.876 --> 10:27.250 align:start TO AVOID THE HEAT AND AVOID BEING DESICCATED. 10:27.250 --> 10:29.292 align:start IT ALSO IS ABLE TO DIG FAIRLY DEEP 10:29.292 --> 10:31.999 align:start BURROWS IN THE SAND LIKE THE SAND TREADER, 10:31.999 --> 10:35.334 align:start AND IT'S GOT A NICE ADAPTATION IN THAT IT HAS EIGHT LEGS 10:35.334 --> 10:38.000 align:start RATHER THAN SIX AND IT CAN DIG A LITTLE BIT MORE 10:38.000 --> 10:40.292 align:start EFFICIENTLY THAN SAY A SIX-LEGGED ANIMAL. 10:40.292 --> 10:43.125 align:start BUT, IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY SORT OF SPECIAL FRINGES 10:43.125 --> 10:45.292 align:start ON ITS TOES THE WAY THAT THE SAND TREADER DOES. 10:45.292 --> 10:48.167 align:start BUT IT'S A PRETTY GOOD DIGGER ITSELF AND IT WILL DIG IN, 10:48.167 --> 10:50.042 align:start TAKE A REST, DIG SOME MORE, 10:50.042 --> 10:53.751 align:start UNTIL IT GETS ITSELF INTO THE SOIL AND IT'S IN A RELATIVELY 10:53.751 --> 11:00.999 align:start MOIST AND WARMER, RATHER, COOLER PLACE TO STAY. 11:00.999 --> 11:04.584 align:start ONE OF THE BEETLES THAT'S REALLY COMMON IS THE PINACATE BEETLE, 11:04.584 --> 11:08.501 align:start AND THERE'S SEVERAL DIFFERENT SPECIES OF IF THAT OCCUR THERE. 11:08.501 --> 11:11.667 align:start THEY WILL ALSO BE ACTIVE PRIMARILY IN THE EARLY MORNING 11:11.667 --> 11:15.459 align:start HOURS, AND THEY WOULD EVEN BE ACTIVE MORE IN THE EVENING. 11:15.459 --> 11:18.751 align:start TO AVOID THEIR PREDATORS, THEY HAVE A CHEMICAL DEFENSE 11:18.751 --> 11:20.751 align:start WHICH THEY USE, AND YOU CAN SEE, 11:20.751 --> 11:23.459 align:start SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SEE THEM WALKING, THEY'LL BE WALKING 11:23.459 --> 11:25.542 align:start WITH THEIR HIND ENDS STUCK UP IN THE AIR. 11:25.542 --> 11:28.542 align:start AND THIS IS IN PREPARATION FOR DEALING WITH A PREDATOR. 11:28.542 --> 11:31.417 align:start IT WOULD EXUDE A CHEMICAL FROM ITS HIND END THAT WOULD 11:31.417 --> 11:39.959 align:start DETER PREDATORS. SOMETIMES THESE BEETLES MAY EVEN PLAY DEAD. 11:39.959 --> 11:41.667 align:start AND IF A PREDATOR HAS COME ALONG AND GOTTEN 11:41.667 --> 11:43.959 align:start A GOOD DOSE OF ITS CHEMICAL DEFENSE, 11:43.959 --> 11:48.375 align:start THE BEETLE MAY STILL PLAY DEAD TO AVOID BEING ACTIVE 11:48.375 --> 11:51.918 align:start AND NOT MOVING, AND MOVEMENT OFTEN CUES 11:51.918 --> 11:53.626 align:start PREDATORS TO GO AFTER SOMETHING. 11:53.626 --> 11:55.959 align:start SO IF IT'S PLAYING DEAD AND IT ALSO HAS THIS 11:55.959 --> 11:58.042 align:start TERRIBLE CHEMICAL SCENT TO IT, 11:58.042 --> 12:04.792 align:start MOST PREDATORS ARE GOING TO LEAVE IT ALONE. 12:04.792 --> 12:07.751 align:start THE ANTS THAT ARE IN THE DUNES HAVE THE SAME 12:07.751 --> 12:11.584 align:start PROBLEMS THAT ANY DESERT ANIMAL DOES. 12:11.584 --> 12:13.959 align:start ONE OF THEIR OTHER PROBLEMS IN ADDITION TO THAT 12:13.959 --> 12:16.167 align:start IS GOING TO BE THEIR FOOD. 12:16.167 --> 12:18.542 align:start THERE ISN'T A LOT OF VEGETATION THAT GROWS IN THE DUNES, 12:18.542 --> 12:23.083 align:start AND THEY'RE VERY DEPENDENT ON THE SEEDS OF THE GRASSES. 12:23.083 --> 12:25.834 align:start SO THEY HAVE TO TIME THEIR ACTIVITY TO WHEN 12:25.834 --> 12:30.999 align:start THE GRASSES ARE ACTUALLY IN SEED. 12:30.999 --> 12:32.250 align:start THE ANTS, WHEN THEY'RE BUILDING THEIR TUNNELS 12:32.250 --> 12:35.999 align:start IN THE DESERT, IN THE DUNES MIGHT HAVE SOME PROBLEMS 12:35.999 --> 12:38.999 align:start WITH THE SAND BEING SO LOOSE. 12:38.999 --> 12:44.999 align:start THEIR TUNNELS MIGHT COLLAPSE AND SUCH LIKE THAT. 12:44.999 --> 12:48.999 align:start I WOULD SUSPECT THAT UNDER THE TOP LAYERS OF SAND, THE SAND IS 12:48.999 --> 12:54.542 align:start A BIT MORE MOIST AND IT STICKS TOGETHER BETTER. 12:54.542 --> 12:58.584 align:start THE ROBBER FLY SEEMS TO BE PRETTY COMMON IN THE DUNE AREA. 12:58.584 --> 13:01.876 align:start AND THESE FLIES TYPICALLY ARE PREDATORS. 13:01.876 --> 13:04.667 align:start EVEN AS LARVAL FORMS, THEY'RE PREDATORS. 13:04.667 --> 13:07.792 align:start THEY EAT OTHER SMALL INSECTS. 13:07.792 --> 13:10.501 align:start THE ROBBER FLY, AS FAR AS LIVING IN THE DUNES, 13:10.501 --> 13:13.000 align:start HAS NO SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS, PHYSICALLY, 13:13.000 --> 13:16.501 align:start BUT THESE INSECTS SEEM TO BE ABLE TO ADAPT 13:16.501 --> 13:21.959 align:start BEHAVIORALLY TO THIS KIND OF CLIMATE. 13:21.959 --> 13:24.999 align:start FOR MOST INSECTS, LIFE ON THE DUNES IS GOING TO BE A REAL HARD 13:24.999 --> 13:30.667 align:start TIME. IT'S VERY ARDUOUS BECAUSE THERE'S VERY LITTLE WATER, 13:30.667 --> 13:33.125 align:start THERE'S VERY LITTLE FOOD, AND THE FACT THAT THE 13:33.125 --> 13:37.042 align:start INSECTS OCCUR HERE MEANS THAT THEY ARE INCREDIBLY 13:37.042 --> 13:39.542 align:start ADAPTIVE BEHAVIORALLY TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH 13:39.542 --> 13:43.459 align:start DIFFERENT SORTS OF ENVIRONMENTS. 13:43.459 --> 13:46.918 align:start FOR THINGS THAT WALK AND CRAWL IT'S DEFINITELY A CHALLENGE 13:46.918 --> 13:50.626 align:start TO HAVE THE EARTH BENEATH YOUR FEET SHIFTING ALL THE TIME. 13:50.626 --> 13:54.334 align:start BUT PLANTS CAN'T EVEN STEP ALONG AND TRY ANOTHER SPOT. 13:54.334 --> 13:58.834 align:start THEY'VE GOT TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. 13:58.834 --> 14:00.834 align:start ONE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT ALL OF THE 14:00.834 --> 14:04.083 align:start DUNE PLANTS SHARE IN COMMON IS THE ABILITY TO SURVIVE 14:04.083 --> 14:08.542 align:start IN THE UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT OF THE SAND. 14:08.542 --> 14:10.209 align:start THE WIND BLOWS IT BACK AND FORTH, 14:10.209 --> 14:12.709 align:start BLOWS IT AWAY FROM THE ROOTS OF PLANTS, 14:12.709 --> 14:14.999 align:start PILES IT UP ON PLANTS, BURIES PLANTS. 14:14.999 --> 14:17.209 align:start AND THE OTHER CHARACTERISTIC SAND HAS 14:17.209 --> 14:19.709 align:start IS THAT IT HAS SPACE BETWEEN THE GRAINS. 14:19.709 --> 14:23.999 align:start AND THAT SPACE ALLOWS WATER TO INFILTRATE 14:23.999 --> 14:26.375 align:start DEEPLY INTO THE SAND, ALLOWS THE SAND TO HOLD WATER LIKE A SPONGE 14:26.375 --> 14:30.292 align:start SO THAT IT DOESN'T DRY OUT AS FAST AS OTHER SOILS DO. 14:30.292 --> 14:32.667 align:start WHAT YOU FIND IS THAT PLANTS THAT LIVE IN THE SAND 14:32.667 --> 14:35.834 align:start HAVE VERY FAST GROWING ROOTS. 14:35.834 --> 14:37.834 align:start AS SEEDLINGS, THE ROOTS GROW DEEP, 14:37.834 --> 14:38.999 align:start STRAIGHT DOWN VERY RAPIDLY, 14:38.999 --> 14:43.209 align:start MUCH FASTER THAN THEY SEND ENERGY TO ABOVE GROUND GROWTH. 14:43.209 --> 14:45.999 align:start AS WELL, WHEN THE PLANTS ON THE DUNES GET 14:45.999 --> 14:49.250 align:start EXCAVATED BY THE WIND, AS SAND BLOWS AWAY FROM THE ROOTS, 14:49.250 --> 14:50.250 align:start THEY'RE ABLE TO SURVIVE THAT. 14:50.250 --> 14:53.918 align:start THE ROOTS DEVELOP A HARDENED SURFACE AND 14:53.918 --> 14:55.000 align:start THEY GET VERY WOODY, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO 14:55.000 --> 14:58.042 align:start ACTUALLY PERSIST WITH A DEEP EXCAVATION OF THE ROOTS, WHEREAS 14:58.042 --> 15:03.375 align:start MANY OTHER PLANTS MIGHT NOT SURVIVE THAT KIND OF EXCAVATION. 15:03.375 --> 15:05.667 align:start ANOTHER FEATURE YOU SEE IN SOME DUNE PLANTS, 15:05.667 --> 15:09.626 align:start SOME OF THE DUNE ENDEMICS, IS THAT THEY DEVELOP VERY ERECT 15:09.626 --> 15:13.584 align:start UPRIGHT GROWTH FORM, WHEREAS THEIR CLOSE RELATIVES IN THE 15:13.584 --> 15:16.250 align:start NON-DUNE HABITAT MIGHT SPREAD OUT AND BECOME VERY BUSHY. 15:16.250 --> 15:20.501 align:start THE DUNE SPECIES GROWS VERY RAPIDLY, VERY ERECT, AS A 15:20.501 --> 15:23.584 align:start MECHANISM TO AVOID GETTING BURIED BY THE MOVING SAND. 15:23.584 --> 15:26.542 align:start SO YOU FIND THAT COMBINATION OF CHARACTERS IN SOME SPECIES, 15:26.542 --> 15:28.792 align:start THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND BEING EXCAVATED BY THE WIND, 15:28.792 --> 15:30.876 align:start AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND BEING BURIED BY THE 15:30.876 --> 15:36.999 align:start BLOWING SAND. WELL, SEVERAL OF THE PLANTS THAT WE FIND AROUND 15:36.999 --> 15:39.501 align:start HERE THAT ARE RESTRICTED ALMOST ENTIRELY TO DUNES. 15:39.501 --> 15:41.709 align:start HERE IN THE MOHAWK DUNES, WHERE WE ARE NOW, 15:41.709 --> 15:45.000 align:start THE COMMON GRASS WE SEE HERE, 15:45.000 --> 15:46.999 align:start BIG GALLETA GRASS IS, ALTHOUGH YOU CAN FIND 15:46.999 --> 15:49.542 align:start IT HERE AND THERE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE DESERT, IT'S BY FAR 15:49.542 --> 15:52.792 align:start MORE DOMINANT HERE IN THE SAND THAN IT IS ELSEWHERE. 15:52.792 --> 15:57.751 align:start ALSO WE SEE DICORIACANESCENS, ALSO KNOWN AS BUGWEED, 15:57.751 --> 16:04.250 align:start STEPHANOMERIASCHOTTII, SCHOTT'S WIRELETTUCE. THE PRIMARY 16:04.250 --> 16:06.834 align:start POPULATIONS ARE FOUND PRIMARILY IN THE SAND DUNES. 16:06.834 --> 16:09.250 align:start AND AS WE MOVE DOWN INTO THE HEART OF THE GRAN DESIERTO, 16:09.250 --> 16:11.792 align:start THERE'S A NUMBER OF OTHER SPECIES THAT WE ADD 16:11.792 --> 16:14.918 align:start TO THE LIST OF DUNE ENDEMICS, 16:14.918 --> 16:17.501 align:start INCLUDING THINGS LIKE WIGGINS' CROTON, 16:17.501 --> 16:20.417 align:start A SAND FOOD, WHICH IS A VERY UNUSUAL ROOT PARASITE. 16:20.417 --> 16:23.626 align:start IT GROWS FROM THE ROOTS OF OTHER SPECIES OF SHRUBS 16:23.626 --> 16:26.751 align:start IN THE SAND--COMES TO THE SURFACE FOR TWO OR THREE 16:26.751 --> 16:28.999 align:start WEEKS EVERY YEAR TO PRODUCE FLOWERS AND THEN 16:28.999 --> 16:31.999 align:start DIES BACK UNDER THE SAND AGAIN. 16:31.999 --> 16:35.125 align:start THINGS LIKE THE FLATSEEDED EUPHORBIA, 16:35.125 --> 16:38.751 align:start THE DUNE SUNFLOWER, HELIANTHUS NIVEUS, 16:38.751 --> 16:42.250 align:start VARIETYTEPHRODES; IT'S ONE OF THOSE SPECIES THAT HAS 16:42.250 --> 16:44.209 align:start A VERY ERECT RAPID-GROWING GROWTH FORM TO IT 16:44.209 --> 16:47.417 align:start TO ALLOW IT TO OUTGROW THE SAND THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BURY IT. 16:47.417 --> 16:49.292 align:start IN THE YUMA AREA, ON THE ALGODONES DUNES, 16:49.292 --> 16:52.334 align:start WE ALSO FIND A DUNE FORM OF CREOSOTEBUSH. 16:52.334 --> 16:53.999 align:start ALL OF THEIR STEMS ARE VERY ERECT, 16:53.999 --> 16:56.709 align:start GROWING TO A HEIGHT OF TEN OR TWELVE FEET 16:56.709 --> 16:59.000 align:start IN CONTRAST TO THE FIVE OR SIX FOOT HIGH 16:59.000 --> 17:04.209 align:start CREOSOTEBUSH IN THE SURROUNDING DESERT. 17:04.209 --> 17:07.751 align:start THE CLIMATE OUT HERE IN THE DUNES IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. 17:07.751 --> 17:09.999 align:start WE CAN HAVE ENTIRE YEARS GO BY WITH NO RAIN, 17:09.999 --> 17:11.999 align:start OR AS WE HAD THIS YEAR, WE CAN HAVE ALL OF THE RAIN, 17:11.999 --> 17:17.667 align:start THE ANNUAL ALLOTMENT FOR THE YEAR, FALL WITHIN ONE MONTH. 17:17.667 --> 17:20.751 align:start SO THE DUNE PLANTS, MANY OF THEM, HAVE THE ABILITY 17:20.751 --> 17:21.999 align:start TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RAIN WHEN IT COMES 17:21.999 --> 17:25.584 align:start AND THE ABILITY TO WAIT MAYBE FOR YEARS UNTIL THE RAINS COME 17:25.584 --> 17:29.250 align:start AGAIN TO BECOME PHYSIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE TO REPRODUCE. 17:29.250 --> 17:33.125 align:start TYPICALLY, WE SEE WINTER RAIN COMING TO THE DUNES 17:33.125 --> 17:36.042 align:start IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY. 17:36.042 --> 17:38.584 align:start BUT THEY CAN ALSO EXPERIENCE SUMMER RAINS AS WELL. 17:38.584 --> 17:40.876 align:start SO THERE'S SPECIES HERE THAT CAN GREEN UP 17:40.876 --> 17:42.667 align:start AND FLOWER AT VIRTUALLY ANY TIME OF YEAR. 17:42.667 --> 17:44.876 align:start A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT IS THE SPANISH NEEDLE. 17:44.876 --> 17:47.999 align:start IT'S A PLANT WHICH THERE'S AN ENDEMIC DUNE VARIETY. 17:47.999 --> 17:51.042 align:start AND WE CAN FIND THAT PLANT BLOOMING AT VIRTUALLY 17:51.042 --> 17:57.792 align:start ANY TIME OF THE YEAR IF THERE'S SUFFICIENT MOISTURE IN THE SAND. 17:57.792 --> 17:59.292 align:start WELL, HERE IN THE YUMA AREA, THE AVERAGE 17:59.292 --> 18:02.918 align:start ANNUAL RAINFALL IS AROUND FOUR INCHES EVERY YEAR. ALTHOUGH IT'S 18:02.918 --> 18:07.792 align:start NOT UNCOMMON FOR A WHOLE YEAR OR MORE TO GO BY WITH NO RAIN. 18:07.792 --> 18:09.292 align:start IT'S ALSO NOT TERRIBLY UNCOMMON, 18:09.292 --> 18:10.999 align:start MAYBE ONE YEAR OUT OF TEN OR FIFTEEN, 18:10.999 --> 18:13.999 align:start TO HAVE TWICE THAT MUCH RAIN FALL IN ANY GIVEN YEAR. 18:13.999 --> 18:16.000 align:start AND TYPICALLY THAT MUCH RAIN WILL FALL IN A PERIOD 18:16.000 --> 18:19.459 align:start OF ONE OR TWO MONTHS DURING THE RAINY SEASON. 18:19.459 --> 18:22.042 align:start SO THE EXTREMES ARE TREMENDOUS FROM YEAR TO 18:22.042 --> 18:24.125 align:start YEAR AS TO HOW MUCH RAIN MIGHT FALL. 18:24.125 --> 18:26.999 align:start SIMILARLY THE TEMPERATURES OCCASIONALLY MAY FALL DOWN TO 18:26.999 --> 18:30.250 align:start FREEZING HERE, ALTHOUGH NOT COMMONLY AND THEN IN THE SUMMER 18:30.250 --> 18:34.334 align:start MAY OFTEN HIT ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY. 18:34.334 --> 18:36.167 align:start IN FACT, THE SAND'S SURFACE MAY HIT 18:36.167 --> 18:38.542 align:start ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY VERY COMMONLY. 18:38.542 --> 18:41.999 align:start SO WE SEE EXTREMES OF MOISTURE, EXTREMES OF TEMPERATURE. 18:41.999 --> 18:44.459 align:start THE PLANTS AND THE ANIMALS BOTH HAVE TO BE ABLE 18:44.459 --> 18:46.792 align:start TO TOLERATE SOME PRETTY DRAMATIC CHANGES 18:46.792 --> 18:54.000 align:start FROM DAY TO DAY AND FROM YEAR TO YEAR. 18:54.000 --> 18:57.000 align:start THESE DUNES ARE SORT DUNES ARE SORT OF AN EDGE OF THE DESERT. 18:57.000 --> 19:00.834 align:start THE COMBINATION OF SAND AND WIND WITH DESERT HEAT 19:00.834 --> 19:04.709 align:start AND DRYNESS MAKE IT NEAR THE LIMIT FOR LIVING THINGS. 19:04.709 --> 19:07.417 align:start MUCH MORE AND IT WOULDN'T BE AN OUTPOST FOR EVEN THESE 19:07.417 --> 19:14.999 align:start TOUGH SPECIES. AT THAT POINT THE DESERT BECOMES TRULY DESERTED. 19:14.999 --> 19:17.792 align:start THE LIMITS OF THE DUNES COME DOWN TO QUANTITY. 19:17.792 --> 19:23.999 align:start THERE'S NOT ENOUGH GROWING HERE FOR MAYBE BUFFALO. 19:23.999 --> 19:25.250 align:start BUT THERE'S ENOUGH FOR MORE THAN THE INSECTS. IN FACT, 19:25.250 --> 19:28.834 align:start THE INSECTS THEMSELVES ARE PART OF THE MENU FOR REPTILES. 19:28.834 --> 19:34.375 align:start THE DESERT'S HARDY REPTILES SURVIVE IN THE DUNES, TOO. 19:34.375 --> 19:37.626 align:start MOST OF THE ANIMALS WE SEE IN THE DUNES ARE ADAPTED BOTH IN 19:37.626 --> 19:41.667 align:start COLOR AND IN BEHAVIOR AND IN MEANS OF LOCOMOTION. 19:41.667 --> 19:45.959 align:start MOST OF THESE SPECIES OCCUR IN HABITATS OTHER THAN DUNES, 19:45.959 --> 19:47.999 align:start BUT ON THE DUNES TYPICALLY HAVE A LIGHTER COLOR, 19:47.999 --> 19:51.542 align:start AND OF COURSE SEVERAL ARE VIRTUALLY ENDEMIC TO THESE 19:51.542 --> 19:59.167 align:start HABITATS WHERE THEY'VE EVOLVED UNIQUE METHODS OF LOCOMOTION. 19:59.167 --> 20:03.667 align:start THE SIDEWINDER OF COURSE IS ABLE TO MOVE ON TWO 20:03.667 --> 20:06.999 align:start CONTACT POINTS OF THE BODY AT ANY GIVEN TIME, 20:06.999 --> 20:09.999 align:start MOVING IN SORT OF AN S-SHAPED FASHION, 20:09.999 --> 20:13.667 align:start ADVANCING ONE COIL, POSITIONING IT ON THE SUBSTRATE, 20:13.667 --> 20:16.667 align:start AND THEN ROLLING THE SECOND LOOP 20:16.667 --> 20:21.751 align:start AHEAD OF THE FIRST, AND THUS MOVING VERY EFFICIENTLY 20:21.751 --> 20:24.999 align:start OVER THIS DIFFICULT TERRAIN. 20:24.999 --> 20:29.125 align:start NOW WHEN THEY ELEVATE THEIR BODIES OFF THE SAND, 20:29.125 --> 20:34.459 align:start THIS OF COURSE REDUCES THE OVERHEATING FACTOR FROM CONTACT 20:34.459 --> 20:36.999 align:start WITH THE HOT SUBSTRATE AND ALLOWS THEM TO BE 20:36.999 --> 20:45.459 align:start ACTIVE FOR GREATER PERIODS OF TIME. 20:45.459 --> 20:46.999 align:start THE SHOVEL-NOSED SNAKE HAS A WEDGE-SHAPED HEAD, 20:46.999 --> 20:50.083 align:start A COUNTERSUNK LOWER JAW, NASAL VALVES WHICH ENABLE 20:50.083 --> 20:54.918 align:start THE NOSTRILS TO BE CLOSED WHEN THE SNAKE IS MOVING THROUGH THE 20:54.918 --> 20:59.083 align:start SAND AND VERY, VERY SMOOTH SCALES WHICH REDUCE FRICTION 20:59.083 --> 21:02.584 align:start WHEN THE SNAKE IS MOVING BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE SAND. 21:02.584 --> 21:06.999 align:start THAT, COMBINED WITH A VERY ANGULAR UNDERBELLY WITH 21:06.999 --> 21:11.542 align:start ANGLES ALONG THE EDGES OF THE VENTRAL SCALES, 21:11.542 --> 21:14.918 align:start ENABLES THE SHOVEL-NOSED SNAKE TO NEGOTIATE 21:14.918 --> 21:23.999 align:start VERY EFFECTIVELY THROUGH THIS LOOSE SHIFTING SAND. 21:23.999 --> 21:27.834 align:start AROUND THE WORLD, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LIZARDS 21:27.834 --> 21:30.999 align:start WHICH HAVE ADAPTED TO LIFE IN THE DUNES. 21:30.999 --> 21:33.999 align:start THE FRINGE-TOED LIZARD IN THE NORTH AMERICAN DESERTS 21:33.999 --> 21:37.292 align:start IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THESE. 21:37.292 --> 21:42.000 align:start IT HAS EVOLVED FRINGE-LIKE SCALES ON ITS TOES, 21:42.000 --> 21:43.876 align:start ITS HIND FEET, WHICH ENABLE IT TO MOVE ABOUT ON 21:43.876 --> 21:47.083 align:start THE SURFACE OF THE SAND WITHOUT GETTING MIRED DOWN, SOMETHING 21:47.083 --> 21:51.334 align:start ON THE ORDER OF SNOWSHOES, ONLY ADAPTED FOR SAND. 21:51.334 --> 21:55.167 align:start THE LIZARD ALSO HAS A WEDGE-SHAPED HEAD, 21:55.167 --> 21:57.209 align:start VERY MUCH LIKE THE SHOVEL-NOSED SNAKE, 21:57.209 --> 21:59.834 align:start A COUNTERSUNK LOWER JAW, WHICH REDUCES FRICTION 21:59.834 --> 22:00.999 align:start WHEN IT DIVES INTO THE SAND, 22:00.999 --> 22:07.999 align:start AND IT TOO IS SOMETHING OF A SAND SWIMMER. 22:07.999 --> 22:10.167 align:start THE FRINGE-TOED LIZARD ALSO HAS 22:10.167 --> 22:12.709 align:start SPECIALIZED SCALES OVER THE EAR OPENINGS, 22:12.709 --> 22:15.999 align:start WHICH PROTECT THE EARDRUM FROM DAMAGE FROM SAND, 22:15.999 --> 22:21.918 align:start AND THEY TOO HAVE CRESCENT-SHAPED NOSTRILS 22:21.918 --> 22:25.959 align:start WHICH HAVE MUSCLES WHICH ALLOW THEM TO CLOSE 22:25.959 --> 22:29.042 align:start WHEN THE LIZARD GOES BENEATH THE SURFACE, 22:29.042 --> 22:36.209 align:start THUS AVOIDING INHALING THE SAND. 22:36.209 --> 22:37.834 align:start THERE ARE OTHER LIZARDS IN THE DUNES, 22:37.834 --> 22:40.209 align:start MOST OF THEM NOT QUITE AS WELL ADAPTED FOR THIS 22:40.209 --> 22:43.000 align:start SPECIALIZED HABITAT AS THE FRINGE-TOED LIZARD. 22:43.000 --> 22:46.999 align:start BUT, AMONG THESE WE WOULD SEE DESERT IGUANAS, 22:46.999 --> 22:49.709 align:start MOST OFTEN AROUND THE DUNE'S EDGES 22:49.709 --> 22:52.959 align:start RATHER THAN ON THE OPEN DUNES THEMSELVES. 22:52.959 --> 22:58.250 align:start OF COURSE THEY'RE ADAPTED TO LIVING IN AND AROUND CREOSOTE, 22:58.250 --> 23:00.751 align:start UPON WHICH THEY FEED, 23:00.751 --> 23:04.125 align:start AND THEY ALSO EAT A GOODLY QUANTITY OF INSECTS 23:04.125 --> 23:07.167 align:start IN ADDITION TO THAT PLANT FARE. 23:07.167 --> 23:09.042 align:start WE ALSO SEE WHIPTAIL LIZARDS; 23:09.042 --> 23:10.876 align:start THE SAME SPECIES AS WE FIND IN OTHER PARTS OF 23:10.876 --> 23:14.999 align:start THE SONORAN DESERT, BUT HERE AGAIN THE POPULATIONS 23:14.999 --> 23:19.834 align:start ON AND NEAR THE DUNES GENERALLY ARE MUCH LIGHTER GRAY IN COLOR, 23:19.834 --> 23:24.792 align:start AGAIN, A FACTOR RENDERING THEM LESS 23:24.792 --> 23:32.999 align:start VISIBLE TO PREDATORS, AND IN PARTICULAR BIRDS. 23:32.999 --> 23:35.667 align:start THE ADAPTABILITY OF THESE LIVING THINGS IS AMAZING. 23:35.667 --> 23:40.209 align:start BUT THE HEART OF IT, FOR ME, IS THE PERSISTENCE. LIFE WILL 23:40.209 --> 23:43.918 align:start TAKE HOLD ALMOST ANYWHERE AND HANG IN THERE SOMEHOW. 23:43.918 --> 23:47.334 align:start PEOPLE ARE LIKE THAT, TOO, BUT NOT INCLINED TO SUFFER IN THE 23:47.334 --> 23:56.501 align:start SAND LONG ENOUGH FOR FRINGE TO GROW AROUND THEIR FEET. 23:56.501 --> 23:59.542 align:start THEY DO COME TO THE DUNES, THOUGH. 23:59.542 --> 24:01.999 align:start WHAT BRINGS THEM IS THE SAME THING THAT TAKES PEOPLE 24:01.999 --> 24:06.999 align:start DOWN TO THE DEEPEST WATERS AND UP TO THE ICIEST MOUNTAINTOPS. 24:06.999 --> 24:10.918 align:start THE MOST UNCONFINED OF ALL THE SPECIES ON EARTH SEEMS TO NEED 24:10.918 --> 24:23.999 align:start TO KEEP TESTING THIS FREEDOM. MANAGING THE ALGODONES DUNES 24:23.999 --> 24:28.751 align:start WEST OF YUMA HAS RESULTED IN TWO EXTREMES SIDE BY SIDE. 24:28.751 --> 24:31.667 align:start ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD, OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES 24:31.667 --> 24:33.626 align:start ARE PERMITTED TO PLAY IN THE SAND. 24:33.626 --> 24:39.375 align:start THE OTHER SIDE IS A PROTECTED WILDERNESS. 24:39.375 --> 24:42.334 align:start EAST OF YUMA, THE MOHAWK DUNES ARE HANDLED VERY 24:42.334 --> 24:47.999 align:start DIFFERENTLY BUT THAT'S BECAUSE HERE THERE'S A MILITARY FACTOR. 24:47.999 --> 24:54.667 align:start THE MOHAWK DUNES ARE PART OF THE LARGER BARIUM GOLDWATER RANGE ON 24:54.667 --> 24:59.125 align:start THE MARINE CORPS SIDE OF IT, WHICH IS FROM THE MOHAWKS TO THE 24:59.125 --> 25:04.334 align:start WEST, IS AN INSTRUMENTED AIR TO AIR TYPE TRAINING REFUGE. 25:04.334 --> 25:06.626 align:start THERE IS NO ORDINANCE THAT'S DELIVERED TO THE 25:06.626 --> 25:08.999 align:start GROUND OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD IMPACT ON THE GROUND. 25:08.999 --> 25:11.999 align:start WE HAVE SPECIFIC ROADS THAT WE'RE NOT ALLOWED 25:11.999 --> 25:15.709 align:start TO LEAVE AS WE TRANSIT THE AREA. 25:15.709 --> 25:18.584 align:start WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE 25:18.584 --> 25:20.667 align:start AND CONTROL VISITOR ACCESS OUT THERE THROUGH 25:20.667 --> 25:23.417 align:start ISSUING PERMITS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO THEM AS TO WHICH AREAS 25:23.417 --> 25:26.999 align:start AND WHICH ROADS THEY CAN GO ON SO THAT THERE AREN'T ANY 25:26.999 --> 25:30.083 align:start ADDITIONAL ROADS BEING MADE OUT IN THAT AREA THAT WOULD 25:30.083 --> 25:34.709 align:start ALLOW ACCESS TO IT. I THINK THAT AREA, AS WELL AS ALL THE AREAS 25:34.709 --> 25:40.417 align:start IN THE GOLDWATER RANGE, ENJOY A MUCH GREATER PROTECTION. 25:40.417 --> 25:42.918 align:start THEY ARE NOT MANAGED FOR MULTIPLE USES. 25:42.918 --> 25:46.999 align:start THEY ARE STRICTLY FROM MILITARY USE ONLY. 25:46.999 --> 25:50.918 align:start HOWEVER, THEY ARE- THE ACCESS IS NOT RESTRICTED. 25:50.918 --> 25:52.417 align:start SO THERE'S NO GRAZING, NO MINING, 25:52.417 --> 25:55.292 align:start NO OFF-ROAD ACTIVITIES FROM THAT STANDPOINT, 25:55.292 --> 26:03.501 align:start SO THEY ENJOY A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL OF PROTECTION. 26:03.501 --> 26:05.417 align:start NEXT TIME YOU HEAR THE WIND WHISTLIN' 26:05.417 --> 26:08.959 align:start AND A DOOR BANGING SOMEWHERE AND YOU GET A CHILL 26:08.959 --> 26:10.999 align:start AND THINK OF THINGS BLOWIN' AWAY. 26:10.999 --> 26:13.542 align:start REMEMBER THE WIND BUILDING SOMETHING PERFECT 26:13.542 --> 26:16.918 align:start IN THE DESERT, ADDING AND SUBTRACTING, LIFTING AND 26:16.918 --> 26:23.417 align:start SHIFTING EACH GRAIN OF SAND. YOU'LL FEEL A LOT BETTER. 26:23.417 --> 27:17.959 align:start [MUSIC] 27:17.959 --> 27:21.209 align:start FUNDING FORTHE DESERT SPEAKS HAS BEEN PROVIDED 27:21.209 --> 27:25.959 align:start BY ASARCO INC. AN INTEGRATED PRODUCER OF NON-FERROUS METALS 27:25.959 --> 27:28.959 align:start AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL MINERALS AND PRODUCTS. 27:28.959 --> 27:32.751 align:start ASARCO INC. ADDING VALUE TO NATURE'S RESOURCES. 27:32.751 --> 27:35.125 align:start AND HEADQUARTERED IN TUCSON, ARIZONA, 27:35.125 --> 27:37.709 align:start INTERGROUP HEALTHCARE CORPORATION IS A MANAGED 27:37.709 --> 27:41.999 align:start HEALTHCARE COMPANY SERVING MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION MEMBERS. 27:41.999 --> 27:45.918 align:start AND BY, THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH HERITAGE FUND, 27:45.918 --> 27:50.667 align:start ARIZONA'S LOTTERY DOLLARS WORKING FOR WILDLIFE.