Stop 7
Effects of Slope

South facing slope at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park.

Water availability and temperatures of desert mountain slopes vary with slope angle and aspect (the direction the slope faces).

On the south facing slope of the hill at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, we can see the high abundance of large prickly pear cactus, ocotillo, and banana yucca.  These drought-tolerant species require well drained soils so their roots will not have rot damage from too much soil moisture.

North facing slope