The surrounding mountains in the Sonoran Desert trap moisture, creating unique ecosystems at higher elevations.

The mountains surrounding the Sonoran Desert play a crucial role in shaping its climate and ecosystems. As moist air from the Pacific Ocean is pushed towards the mountains, it rises, cools, and condenses, leading to higher precipitation on the mountain slopes. This process creates different ecosystems at higher elevations, where plants and animals thrive in cooler, more humid conditions compared to the desert floor below. These elevational gradients support diverse species and contribute to the overall biodiversity of the region.