The Biome of a Temperate Desert By Lizz S. and Sam S.

Climate Characteristics Average Annual Temperature: degrees Celsius Average Annual Temperature: degrees Celsius The temperature range during the year reaches as high as 40 degrees Celsius and as low as -18 degrees Celsius at night The temperature range during the year reaches as high as 40 degrees Celsius and as low as -18 degrees Celsius at night Average Annual Precipitation- less than 25 cm per year Average Annual Precipitation- less than 25 cm per year The main form of precipitation is snow or fog The main form of precipitation is snow or fog

Graph of Precipitation and Average Temperature

Other Limiting Factors The soils are coarse and rocky The soils are coarse and rocky Hard for plants to grow Hard for plants to grow Lie between degrees North and South of the Equator Lie between degrees North and South of the Equator High pressure areas High pressure areas Lack of precipitation Lack of precipitation

Types of Plants Prickly Pear and Saguaro Cactus Prickly Pear and Saguaro Cactus Adaptations: Adaptations: Reduction of leaves, often into spines for protection Reduction of leaves, often into spines for protection Development of the stem as a major photosynthetic structure Development of the stem as a major photosynthetic structure Water storage in the stem Water storage in the stem Development of defense structures Development of defense structures Coating the plant with a thick waxy cuticle Coating the plant with a thick waxy cuticle A dense coating of hairs (trichomes) A dense coating of hairs (trichomes) Extensive underground root systems Extensive underground root systems omes/desert.htm

Temperate Desert in North Dakota

Types of Animals Bactrian Camel and Zebratail Lizard Bactrian Camel and Zebratail Lizard Adaptations: Adaptations: Nocturnal Lifestyle Nocturnal Lifestyle Living in Burrows Living in Burrows Slender bodies with long limbs Slender bodies with long limbs Specialized snouts Specialized snouts Waxy body coatings Waxy body coatings Efficient kidneys Efficient kidneys Eyes protected from the sun Eyes protected from the sun m

Degree of Biodiversity The degree of biodiversity is high The degree of biodiversity is high Many different types of plants and animals that thrive there. Many different types of plants and animals that thrive there.

Biomass Pyramid Primary Producer- Cacti, aloe, bunchgrass Herbivore- Bighorn sheep Lower level carnivore- sand fox, Corsac fox Midlevel Carnivore- American jackal, Arctic wolf Top Carnivore- Cougar, Eurasian Lynx

Temperate Desert Distribution

Reference Page Ingles, Dr. Lloyd Glen. "The Desert Biome." The World's Biomes UCMP. 21 Oct hp. Ingles, Dr. Lloyd Glen. "The Desert Biome." The World's Biomes UCMP. 21 Oct hp. hp hp "Temperate Desert Biome." Biomes. 4 July Oct /biomes.html. "Temperate Desert Biome." Biomes. 4 July Oct /biomes.html. /biomes.html /biomes.html "Climate." The Desert Biomes. Marietta College. 21 Oct "Climate." The Desert Biomes. Marietta College. 21 Oct Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions. California: Wadsworth Group. Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions. California: Wadsworth Group.