Warm up- Oct 31 What is a rain shadow? What does a rain shadow cause to form? How would you describe the resulting landscape?

I will be able to describe the formation of deserts and explain that climate region biome.

Perhaps the most challenging physical conditions in the terrestrial environment… Desert!

Deserts have an annual rainfall of less than 25 cm Deserts have an annual rainfall of less than 25 cm. Typically highly variable. Deserts cover about 12% of the continents. Every continent but Europe!

Temperature also variable: Hot deserts- Sahara Cool deserts- Mongolia’s Gobi Cold deserts- Antarctica

Conditions that contribute to desert formation: Prevailing high pressure Rain shadows

Desert landscapes not subjected to human activity may actually be very stable. May develop sand dune systems.

Desert soils typically have a relatively stable surface layer Desert soils typically have a relatively stable surface layer. Sometimes, the removal of fine soil has resulted in a “desert pavement”.

Desert soils may develop a soil crust.

Arid and semiarid are particularly vulnerable to human impact. Impacts include: Overgrazing Cutting of fuel-wood Physical disturbance of the surface.

Desertification – the degradation of arid, semiarid, and dry subhumid lands as a result of human activities and climatic variations.

Desert Plants

Desert Animals