Direct and indirect effects of environmental variability on growth and survivorship of pre‐reproductive Joshua trees, <i>Yucca brevifolia</i> Engelm. (Agavaceae)

Abstract

A rare establishment event for Y. brevifolia during 1983-1984, triggered by above-average summer rainfall, provided a unique opportunity to track early survival and growth. Infrequent but acute episodes of herbivory during drought influenced demography for decades. Variability in survival among young Y. brevifolia indicates that size-dependent demographic variables will improve forecasts for this long-lived desert species under predicted regional climate change.