Tropical Desert Biome Kate K. Tori C. Chris T. (

Climate Characteristics  Average Annual Temperature: 22.8 C  Temperature Range: 21.2 C

 Average Annual Precipitation: 43.8 mm  Other Limiting Factors: –Extreme Temperature Differences –Little Vegetation –Sparse Animal Population –Clear and Sunny, Limited Shade

Geographic Location Main Locations: Saudi Arabia Southwest United States Sahara Desert *Light Yellow Represents Tropical Deserts Sahara Desert

Flora and Fauna  Rules of Adaptation: –Beat the Heat –Every Drop of Water Counts

Flora Adaptations  General: –Small leaves conserve water –Deep roots collect groundwater –Drop leaves to survive during dry spells –Widely spread roots collect water after rain showers.  Sage Brush: wax coated leaves minimize transpiration  i.e. Cacti, Creosote Bush, wildflowers, mosses, lichens (Living In The Environment)

Fauna Adaptations  General: –Thick shells to minimize water loss –Small size –Sparse populations –Dry feces and urine concentrate  Spiders: Collect water from dew, dormant during extreme heat  i.e. coyotes, snakes, owls, lizards (Living in the Environment)

Degree of Biodiversity  Very low species diversity  This is caused by lack of resources and extreme climate

Biomass Pyramid Primary Consumers: birds, insects, rodents, and other seed-eating herbivores, Secondary Consumers: coyotes, snakes, lizards, foxes, owls, and hawks Producers: Evergreens (with wax coated leaves), desert perennials, perennial shrubs, wildflowers and grasses, mosses and lichens

Bibliography Ritter, Michael E. The Physical Environment: an Introduction to Physical Geography October 19, Ritter, Michael E. The Physical Environment: an Introduction to Physical Geography October 19, title_page.html Benders-Hyde, Elizabeth M. "Desert Biomes." Blue Planet Biomes Oct Miller, Jr., G. Tyler. Living in the Environment. 12th ed. Belmont, Ca.: Thomson Learning,