EXPLAINED: Great basin | Vintage Vibes

Before 1850, Americans grew Dyer’s woad for blue dye; in the Great Basin, one infestation later grew from 12,000 to 150,000 acres in eight years

Dyer's woad, once used for blue dye, has become an invasive species in the American West. This plant produces a high number of seeds and thrives in disturbed soils, making it hard to control. Control efforts require extensive knowledge of its lifecycle and persistent manual and chemical treatment. A recent…

The Economic Times · Oct 20

What are the Santa Ana winds fueling the California wildfires?

The fierce winds are created by high pressure over the Great Basin – the vast desert interior of the west

The Guardian - US · Jan 8, 2025

Legacy of dust: How Owens Valley air pollution increases LA water bills

OLANCHA, Calif. — Even as worsening drought and aridification force Los Angeles to end its overwhelming dependence on imported water, Angelenos may soon realize that weaning themselves off supplies from the rugged eastern Sierra Nevada doesn’t mean they will stop paying for the city’s long, complicated history there.

Los Angeles Times · Nov 10, 2022