It’s Always Sunny in Deserts

Desert Biome by: Amanda Tsang, Daniel Song, and Bethany Ling

Where are they?*Gobi, Turkestan, and Great Indian Desert are known as “Cold Deserts”

General Features● Coarse-textured soil● Rocky flat ground● Loose gravel● No subsurface water (water flow under the surface)

due to lack of rainfall & infiltration● Diverse landscapes with small shrubs, plants and trees

Climates● Sunny, hot● Hot days, cold nights● Can go upto 45 C in some deserts

● Precipitation- Less than 25mm (10 inch) per year

● Rains the most in November

When Should I visit?● Best times to visit & view wildlife= Spring and Fall● Summer is way too hot and temps. can be very cold in the winter● Look out for the dust storms and quick & violent thunderstorms

that are not uncommon.● When traveling by foot, time your walks when the sun is not as

intense (early morning and late afternoon)● Stay on the main paved roads

o Easy to get lost so be informed on your travels● Carry at least 1 gallon per day/person of drinking water AT ALL

TIMES● Avoid sun exposure at all costs

o Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, loose long-sleeve shirts and pants, etc.

● Stay out of mines and away from anything rodent related (Hantavirus)

Unique Features...● Temperatures in some deserts can be so hot that when it rains,

the water evaporates before reaching the ground.● Dust storms can travel hundreds of miles at 1 mile high.● This biome can be found on every continent except Europe.● Have less than 10 inches of annual precipitation ● There is less chemical weather, so desert soils coarse-textured

and shallow with no subsurface water.

Plant Characteristics & Adaptations● Such a dry climate plants store water in their stems and

grow spaced which allows their roots to extend and find water● Some plants have special means of storing water/conserving the

small amounts of water that they are exposed to, such as having few or no leaves. o Ex: Cacti use their spines to protect from predators and have

a waxy covering that keeps in moisture● Varying temperatures during each season

o some plants remain dormant during dry periods and wait until water is available to come to life

o Conform with seasons of cooler temperature and the most moisture

Animal Adaptations● Animals such as Bats,

Raccoons, foxes, snakes etc. Are nocturnal (sleep during the day - hunt in the night).

● Because it is cooler during the night, it makes it easier for animals to hunt.

● Many animals store their body fat in one area, because body fat retains heat. ○ Camels stores all its body

fat in their hump.

Tourism activities● Star Wars Tatooine planet in Tunisia● Sandboarding, Dune buggies, Camel riding● Dakar Rally in Sahara● 2 Out of 7 Most mysterious places

(Pyramids, Nazsca Lines)● Cities such as Dubai, Cairo, Las Vegas, etc

Environmental Issues● Recreational activities such as off-roading (dune bashing or rock racing)

vehicles can disrupt the soil and landscape causing erosion.o This also harms plants and animal habitats

● The Oil Industry/Gold Mining in the Saharao As people dig for fossil fuels it could destroy the desert biome, and

harm plant and animal life.o Potassium Cyanide (used for gold mining) can poison wildlife

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Sourceshttp://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert_plant_page.htmhttp://www.environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/desert-threats/https://sites.google.com/site/desertbiomeofawesomness/environmental-problemshttp://www.desertusa.com/du_plantsurv.htmlhttp://www.legendsofamerica.com/trv-tipsdesert.htmlhttp://www.softschools.com/facts/biomes/desert_biome_facts/167/