1. Desert Ecosystems Chapter B1 Lesson 3

2. Desert – an ecosystem found where there is very little rainfall. Deserts are dry and hot. There are very few clouds. Two kinds of deserts: Hot deserts Cold deserts Hot deserts Temperatures are very warm all year round The summers are very hot Cold deserts Short, warm summers Long, cold winters Found in places near the north and south poles

3. Desert Plants Many plants are found in the desert. They usually grow close to the ground. These plants have special parts that help them save water. The special parts are: thick stem, shallow and wide roots, and thick skin covered with spines instead of leaves.

4. Desert Animals There are many animals in the desert. They can survive by eating other animals or by eating plants that store water. To protect them from the hot sun, they stay in the shade or in their shelter. Animals may build their shelters inside plants. Some animals sleep during the day and are active at night. Some animals have hard shells to protect them from losing much water. More animals live in hot deserts than in cold deserts.

5. Roadrunner Anteater Scorpion Gila monster (lizard) Camel

6. Deserts in the United States Great Basin Desert Mojave Desert Chihuahua Desert Sonoran Desert

7. Great Basin Desert California Nevada Idaho Utah

8. Mojave Desert California Nevada Arizona Utah

9. Chihuahuan Desert Arizona New Mexico Texas

10. Sonoran Desert California Arizona

11. Review What is a desert? How do plants survive in the desert? How do animals survive in the desert?

12. Learn more about deserts http://www.jlhs.nhusd.k12.ca.us/Classes/Science/Net_Lessons/Biomes /deserts.html#anchor325870http://www.jlhs.nhusd.k12.ca.us/Classes/Science/Net_Lessons/Biomes /deserts.html#anchor325870Desert information http://idptv.state.id.us/dialogue4kids/season3/desert/plants.html http://idptv.state.id.us/dialogue4kids/season3/desert/plants.html Desert information http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/desert/tplants.htmhttp://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/desert/tplants.htmDesert plants http://www.brainpop.com/science/ecology/desert/index.weml?&tried_ cookie=truehttp://www.brainpop.com/science/ecology/desert/index.weml?&tried_ cookie=trueDesert