1. Extreme Climates An extreme climate is a place with extreme rainfall or temperature conditions that limit fauna numbers and flora growth Where are deserts and drylands located? FACTFILE What is the hottest place on earth? What is the biggest desert? What is the driest place? PLANT ADAPTATION CASE STUDY ANIMAL ADAPTATION CASE STUDY LIST PLANTS AND ANIMALS Deserts are generally found between 15-35 degrees latitude (N and S of the equator), however the largest cold desert is Antarctica, which is found at the South Pole. Deserts and drylands are found in all continents of the world. Hottest temp ever recorded: Libya 58°C. Sahara: 9 million km2. Covers 12 countries. Atacama Desert, Chile. Average rainfall: 1mm/year. PLANTS (Flora) Cacti, prickly pears, desert holly, brittlebush. Mainly shrubs and flowers. No trees live in the desert. ANIMALS (Fauna) Camels, wolves, kangaroo, lizards, jack rabbit, snakes, spiders, desert toads, ostrich, vultures, roadrunner, meerkats, scorpions... The Red Kangaroo (Australia) Nocturnal – avoids the heat of the day Drinks dew from cacti for water Hopping – A fast and energy efficient way to cross the desert Rainfall – triggers hormones in females so breeding only occurs in rainy season. Barrel Cactus (North America) Light colour – reflect sunlight Prickly spines – protect against animals and reduce evapotranspiration Large stem – stores water

2. HUMAN SURVIVAL Explain how people have developed different ways of surviving in the desert. FeatureDescribeExplain how these help people to survive: Buildings Flat roofs White walls Small windows Air conditioning Flat roofs can be used to collect water, helping people to survive drought. White walls reflect the sunlight keeping buildings cool. Small windows reduce the amount of sunlight entering buildings, therefore keeping the temperatures inside low. In richer areas (e.g. Texas, USA) air conditioning can be used to keep buildings cool. Transport Camels Off-road vehicles Camels are adapted to survive in extreme conditions and able to walk very long distances, making them a perfect form of transport across the desert. Their toes prevent them from sinking and their hump stores fat and water which they can use as sustenance along the journey. In richer areas (e.g. USA and Middle East) off-road vehicles with powerful four wheel drive can be used to travel quickly across the large expanses of desert. Farming Methods Irrigation using rivers Dams Nomadic pastorialism – moving animal herds frequently River water can be diverted along small channels or pumped onto the land to feed and water crops. Dams (e.g. Three Gorges in China) can be used to provide a reservoir of water for people to use. Ancient tribes in arid areas often use nomadic pastorialism to avoid over using the land and causing desertification. Clothing Loose-fitting Light colours Headscarves Loose-fitting clothes allow the body to stay cool and light colours reflect the sunlight. Headscarves cover the head from the sun and shield against sand storms. Head-to- toe clothing prevents the skin from becoming burnt. Sunglasses protect the eyes and in richer places the use of sun cream is common to protect against skin diseases such as cancer.

3. THREATS What are the threats to the people and the natural systems of the desert? Sulphur particles released by factories in Europe / USA may affect cloud formation over the Sahel. Tourism has been promoted by many governments as a way to boost economic growth. European colonisation of North Africa diluted culture and threatened traditional ways of life. Rising temperatures due to climatic changes globally are leading to increased length of dry seasons. Competition for water with animals may affect the ability of tribes to survive. Population growth is increasing the numbers of people using the water supplies in the Sahel. Civil war and political instability is driving people into smaller and smaller areas of land. International companies seize the land preventing traditional nomadic pastoralism. Overgrazing of the land by small villages and mainly nomadic tribes is leading to increased desertification. TASK 1: Instructions: 1.READ through the statements. 2.Cut out the nine statements. 3.Re-arrange the statements into the diamond shape on the page in your booklet, with the biggest threat at the top and the least threat at the bottom. When you’re sure, glue them down. 4.Explain your decisions. TASK 2: Think back to HUMAN PLANET. How will the people living in the Sahel we saw in the programme be affected by increased temperatures and decreased rainfall as a result of climate change? - Use the pictures, graph and statements on the next page of your booklet to help you answer this question.

4. Extreme Exam Questions! Self assess your answers Question:Mark scheme: Describe how people’s clothing helps them survive in an area of extreme climate you have studied. (3 marks) 0-1 marks: State one type of clothing worn in the desert (e.g. Headscarves are worn). 2 marks: Describe what the named piece of clothing protects (e.g. Headscarves protect the face and head). 3 marks: Describe how the clothing helps people to survive (e.g. Headscarves keep the sun off people’s heads and shield a person’s face in a sandstorm). Describe how building styles are adapted to the extreme climate you have studied (3 marks) 0-1 marks: State one feature of buildings in desert areas (e.g. They are painted white). 2 marks: Describe how this feature works (e.g. Buildings painted white reflect the sun). 3 marks: Describe how this adaptation helps people to survive (e.g. Buildings painted white reflect the sun, helping them to stay cool). Choose one extreme environment. Describe one threat that it faces on account of human activity (2 marks) 1 mark Name a human produced problem (e.g. Desertification is caused by over-grazing of the land in the Sahel). 2 marks Describe how this problem impacts on the natural environment (e.g. Grasses die out and soil erosion takes place due to a lack of root systems holding the land together).