Desert Biome

Casen BarryLaynie Bear

Hannah Williams

Location

Between 15o and 35o latitude

Location

FACTS• Sahara covers more than 3.5

million sq. mi.• Death Valley (Mojave Desert)

covers Nevada, Arizona, and California over 25,000 sq. mi.

AbioticCLIMATE

• Dry desert climate formed by high pressure zones

• Average temperature: Day 380C, Night -3.9oC

Terrain• Mountains• Basins• High Plain• Sand dunes-less than 29% in

North America, 11% in Sahara, and 30% in Arabian

Water• Groundwater-trapped in aquifers; close to surface

may create an oasis (green, fertile haven)• Surface water-streams form after rain; permanent

rivers include Colorado River through Grand Canyon and Nile River in Egypt

BioticFlora

• Barrel cactus• Pancake prickly pear cactus• Soaptree yucca• Mojave aster• Joshua tree• Desert ironwood

Fauna• Camel• Bobcat• Coyote• Desert kangaroo rat• Many types of lizards and

snakes• Red-tailed hawk

Other Info• Deserts cover 1/5 of the Earth’s land• Extremely hot and dry during the day,

cold at night• Dangerous for humans to be exploring

alone• Receive less than 10 inches of rain

annually• Driest biome