Background

      The Silver Peak Range sits in a remote corner of Esmeralda County in the western Nevada desert. Its subalpine peaks reach 2,856 m in elevation and descend into a colorful palate of unique and unusual geology that bears both interesting plant communities and mineral rich soil, some of which are notably high in lithium. Because of this, the region is a hot-spot for proposed lithium extraction and geothermal development, both of which are sought after in our energy transition to renewable energy. Due to increasing demand and new projects being proposed on public lands, baseline biological data is needed to inform management decisions that can maximize protection of biodiversity. Unfortunately, the extent of Nevada's incredible botanical diversity is largely under-documented. For example, botanical specimen collection density is estimated at 0.34 specimens/km2 on average, compared to neighboring California which has 4.76 specimens/km2 on average. While the estimated specimen density is likely underestimated due to a lag in digitization efforts, it still underscores the need to collect herbarium specimen data. This data can inform appropriate siting of mineral extraction and energy development, which in turn will reduce conflicts with sensitive resources such as rare plants and ecological communities.

      Despite the lack of botanical documentation, we know that the Silver Peak Range is home to narrowly endemic and imperiled species such as Tiehm’s buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii) and Tecopa bird's beak (Chloropyron tecopenseis). The proximity of the Silver Peak Range to other specialized habitats, such as those located in the White Mountains and Death Valley National Park in California, as well as the presence of unique ecosystems such as alkali wetlands lends potential for this area to host high levels of species richness and endemism. This region also sits within the transition zone between the Great Basin and Mojave deserts, and includes the northernmost extent of the western Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia), a species predicted to undergo widespread extirpation in the southernmost region of their range. This northernmost extent of their range could serve as a future climate refugia for the species in the future. Additionally, the area is forested by stands of pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla), a culturally important food crop for the Timbisha Shoshone tribe that is currently experiencing widespread mortality, threatening indigenous cultural heritage as well as the local ecosystem. Die-off of pinyon pine forests is directly related to prolonged drought and can drastically alter fire regimes. Understanding geographic patterns of plant diversity in relation to the unique geological makeup of the Silver Peak Range will contribute to well-informed land management decisions. For example, preliminary data suggests that Tiehm’s buckwheat (E. tiehmii) is a rare specialist, edaphically restricted to mineral rich soils containing lithium, highlighting the importance of a biogeographical analysis of the area's rare plants. These factors underscore the urgency and importance of a floristic inventory in this region.