1. Go through and highlight important information.
Hot Deserts
Climate- less than 250mm of rain. Diurnal temp 40c in day to 0 at night.
Soil is shallow and coarse. Not very fertile due to lack of plant material and dry. Few plants. Mammals tend to be nocturnal. People tend to be nomadic and travel in search of food and water.
Hot Deserts- Characteristics
Plants can have long roots to get to the water or shallow to get the rain as soon as it happens. Roots can grow horizontal and stay close to the surface to get the rain as soon as it falls.
Seeds can lay dormant for years and germinate quickly when it rains.
Cacti- large stems to store water and thick waxy skin to reduce water loss.
Soils tend to be sandy or stony. Limited leafy vegetation means little organic matter and fertility.
Soils are saline (salty) because evaporation of moisture draws salt to the surface.
Hot deserts are mostly found in a belt between approximately 30 degrees north and south of the Equator. This is largely due to atmospheric circulation. Most occupy dry continental interiors, but coastal deserts also exist such as the Atacama Desert in S. America.
Desert Animals Characteristics
Nocturnal rodents live in burrows underground.
Snakes and lizards have waterproof skins which retain the moisture.
Camels can withstand days without water.
Homework on deserts
Go through and highlight important information.
Produce a revision card on the outline.
Answer the Exam question

2. Using our own knowledge illustrate the characteristics of plants and animals of the deserts
6 marks
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Marks 1-2
Basic sentences about characteristics. Does not use very much evidence
Marks 3-4
Able to write about characteristics in a clear form
Marks5-6
Able to write in detail about the characteristics of deserts