The rollback of environmental safeguards and increased off-road vehicle access pose significant risks to the Mojave Desert's fragile ecosystem. The desert tortoise, a keystone species, faces heightened threats from habitat destruction and human activity. Additionally, increased vehicle access could exacerbate soil erosion, spread invasive plant species, and stress local wildlife. The El Niño event is expected to amplify these challenges by altering weather patterns, potentially leading to more extreme conditions such as droughts or heavy rainfall. These changes could further strain the region's already vulnerable ecosystems and water resources.