Desert Biome By: Holli Wright & Jordan Durst

Location – Southern states: Arizona, Texas, New Mexico – Australia – South West Africa – South America

Temperature/Rainfall Average Temperature (Australia): degrees C = degrees F Average Rainfall in a year (Australia): 6.62 mm = 0.26 in

Types Arid Desert – plant and animal life Hyper arid Desert – little to no vegetation and animal life Hot/Dry Desert – Winter Temperatures: degrees Celsius – Summer Temperatures: degrees Celsius Cold Desert – Winter Temperatures: -2-4 degrees Celsius – Summer Temperatures: degrees Celsius

Vertical Stratification Soil – Saline or alkaline (sand) Plants: – Shrubs – Cactus – Plants are called Xerophytes = plants that are able to survive in an environment with little water or moisture Vegetation: – Sparse grasslands – Shrub lands – Woodlands

Food Web

Animal Adaptations Large extremities to dissipate heat Small body size to dissipate heat Reduce heat input by staying out of the sun and staying in the shade Example: – Kangaroo Rat -> can survive with little water by converting the dry seeds that they eat into water. These animals don’t sweat or pant to keep their bodies cool in the hot sun. Kangaroo rats spend most of their day in burrows where the air is moist and cool.

Plant Adaptations