Rather than be tied to the limited objective of protecting individual endangered species, DoD is emphasizing the overall protection of existing groups of plants and animals. One example of this approach is unfolding in the Mojave Desert. Use of the ecosystem approach at all DoD installations will help land managers and trainers better assess the quality of DoD lands, determine appropriate uses, assess impacts beyond installation borders, conserve areas that harbor rare or unique species, and integrate these issues with military mission requirements. These lands are used for a wide variety of purposes, including munitions testing, deployment of weapons systems, and combat training. Other areas, such as marine and estuarine environments, are sites for training exercises, vessel tests, and deployment of submarine tracking equipment.
Designated airspace is used to train pilots and test fighter planes and air-based weapons systems.
Mojave Desert Initiative DoD is embracing the principles of ecosystem management on a regional scale in the Mojave Desert, DoD's premier training and testing region. Located here are such major installations as the Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin, the Marine Corps Ground Combat Center at Twenty-Nine Palms, Edwards Air Force Base, and the Naval Air Weapons Center at China Lake. DoD conducts most of its large-scale unit training exercises and major weapons testing at these installations. To more effectively coordinate resource management and protection in the Mojave Desert, DoD has teamed with the Department of the Interior.