Desert Biome Mikayla Cook

Textbook information about the desert The desert can have dry periods of several years Plants only cover a small percentage of ground surface

Textbook information about the desert Xerophyte- plants that have adapted to these dry climates Plants adapt by producing needles or waxy skins to store and collect moisture.

Footnote slides

Forming deserts Deserts are formed by weathering processes as large variations in temperature between day and night put strains on the rocks which consequently break in pieces. Although rain seldom occurs in deserts, there are occasional downpours that can result in flash floods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert

Plants Plants living in the desert need special adaptations to survive in the harsh environment. Plants tend to be tough and wiry with small or no leaves. Some annual plants germinate, bloom and die in the course of a few weeks after rainfall while other long-lived plants survive for years and have deep root systems able to tap underground moisture. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert

Animals Animals living in the desert need special adaptations to survive in the harsh environment. Animals need to keep cool and find enough food and water to survive. Many are nocturnal and stay in the shade or underground during the heat of the day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert

Little precipitation A desert is a region of land that is very dry because it receives low amounts of precipitation, often has little coverage by plants, and in which streams dry up unless they are supplied by water from outside the area. Deserts can also be described as areas where more water is lost by evapotranspiration than falls as precipitation. Deserts generally receive less than 250 mm (10 in) of precipitation each year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert

Dust storms and sandstorms Sand and dust storms are natural events that occur in arid regions where the land is not protected by a covering of vegetation. As wind begins to blow the particles get lifted up into the air. Particles can be in the air for days. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert

Temperature Desert surfaces receive a little more than twice the solar radiation received by humid regions and lose almost twice as much heat at night. Many mean annual temperatures range from 20-25°C. The extreme maximum ranges from 43.5-49°C. Minimum temperatures sometimes drop to -18° C. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.php

Soil Soils often have abundant nutrients because they need only water to become very productive and have little or no organic matter. Disturbances are common in the form of occasional fires or cold weather, and sudden, infrequent, but intense rains that cause flooding. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.php

Deserts Deserts cover more than one fifth of the Earth's land, and they are found on every continent. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/desert-profile/

Deserts Deserts are second only to tropical rain forests in the variety of plants and animals that live there. http://www.defenders.org/desert/basic-facts

Sahara desert The largest hot desert on Earth is the Sahara. The Sahara Desert is located in northern Africa, spanning 12 different countries. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/earth/desert.html

Soil profile of the desert Biome

All these places are found in the desert biome. Climatographs All these places are found in the desert biome.

World Location

Stratification layers

Food web of desert biome

Plants in desert biome Short grasses

Plants in desert biome Cacti

Plants in desert biome Desert Spoon

Plants in a desert biome Sagebrush

Plants in the desert biome Creosote bushes

Animals in desert biome

Animals in desert biome

Animals in desert biome

Animals in a desert biome

Animals in a desert biome

The end