The Sahara

THE SAHARADry Desert

WHAT IS THE SAHARA

Hot Desert ( less than 10 inches of rain, temp. range23

to 136 Degrees Fahrenheit with 86 average ) Some area average less than one inch of rain

per year.

SIZE: THIRD LARGEST DESERT AND LARGEST HOT DESERT COVERING ABOUT 3,500,000 SQ. MILES

Borders 11 Countries

PHYSICAL FEATURES

ERGS, SAND SEAS WITH DUNES UP TO A THOUSAND FEET HIGH

REGS: PLAINS OF SAND AND BLACK, RED OR WHITE GRAVEL

HAMADAS: ELEVATED PLATEAUS OF ROCK AND STONE UP TO 11,000 FEET

WADIS: TEMPORARY WATER SOURCES FED BY RAINFALL

OASIS: AT ITS HUB IS WATER, OFTEN IN THE FORM OF NATURAL SPRINGS, ARTESIAN WELLS OR ENTIRE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

SAHARAN VEGETATION IS GENERALLY SPARSE, WITH SCATTERED CONCENTRATIONS OF GRASSES, SHRUBS, AND TREES IN THE HIGHLANDS, IN OASIS DEPRESSIONS, AND ALONG THE WADIS

PLANT LIFE Saharan vegetation is generally sparse, with scattered concentrations of grasses, shrubs, and trees in the highlands, in oasis depressions, and along the wadis

The soils of the Sahara are low in organic matter. Soils in depressions are frequently saline.

rainfall happens very rarely, but when it does it is usually torrential when it occurs after long dry periods.

Wide temperature range.

500 plant species compared to 40000 of Amazon

OLEANDER: TYPICALLY FOUND AROUND STREAM BEDS AND OASIS.

MAY GERMINATE WITHIN THREE DAYS OF ADEQUATE RAINFALL AND SOW THEIR SEEDS WITHIN 10 OR 15 DAYS OF GERMINATION.

DATE PALM TREE: UP 75 FEET TALL WITH ROOTS 150 FEET DEEP

GRASS:SPREAD OVER A LARGE SURFACE AREA AND TAKE IN ENOUGH MOISTURE TO SURVIVEBECAUSE OF THE SLIM SURFACE AREA OF THE LEAVES, THE LACK OF MOISTURE THROUGH EVAPORATION IS REDUCED

ANIMAL LIFEThe dry desert is filled with animal life contrary to what most may believe. The Sahara is filled with small creatures to large mammals.

The Sahara is also home to 300 different species of migratory birds.

DUNG BEETLE:A SPECIES OF BEETLES THAT FEEDS ENTIRELY OFF ANIMAL WASTE, THE DUNG BEETLE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SAHARA

DEATHSTALKER SCORPION :NOCTURNAL HUNTER, FEED ON SMALL LIZARDS AND INSECTS.

DROMEDARY CAMELS: STORES FAT IN HUMP, CAN GO WITHOUT WATER FOR WEEKS

ENDANGERED AND THREATENED ANIMALS

FENNEC FOX: NOCTURNAL HUNTER WITH LARGE EARS THAT HELP DISSIPATE HEAT. ENDANGERED BECAUSE OF HUMAN OVER TRAPPING

THE ADDAX ANTELOPE: ENDANGERED DO TO OVER HUNTING

VALS GUNDI MOUSE

THREATS TO ENVIRONMENT

Human Development threat Drought and Global warming

RESOURCES

Underwater reserves Oil Iron ore Coal and natural gas Phosphates