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