1. Desert By: James Baker 11/09/09

2. Climate In the desert all of the months have an average temperature of over 64 degrees F. Dry desert climates are formed by high- pressure zones in which cold air descends. Then the descending air becomes warm but instead of releasing rain, the heat from the ground evaporates the water before it can come down as rain. Interesting fact- approximately 1in of rain falls in dry deserts per year.

3. A biotic Factors The desert has low precipitation; variable temperatures; and soils rich in minerals but poor in organic material.

4. Dominant Plants Cacti and other succulents; creosote bush and other plants with short growth cycles. Barrel Cactus,Brittle Bush,Chainfruit Cholla,Creosote Bush,Crimson Hedgehog Cactus,Desert Ironwood,Joshua Tree,Jumping Cholla,Mojave Aster,Ocotillo,Palo Verde,Pancake Prickly Pear Cactus, Saguaro Cactus, Soaptree Yucca,Triangle-leaf Bursage.

5. Dominant animals There are armadillo lizards, banded Gila monsters, bobcats, cactus wren, coyotes, desert bighorn sheep, desert kangaroo rats :(, desert tortoises, Javelina, cactus Ferruginoug pygmy owls, Sonoran desert toads, Sonoran pronghorn antelope, and the thorny devil. All of these animals have addapted this this climate in order to survive in the heat

6. Geographical Distribution The latitude range is 15-28 degrees north and south of the equator. The global range covers about 1/5 of the earths surface including the great deserts. Most Hot and Dry Deserts are near the Tropic of cancer of the Tropic of Capricorn. Cold deserts are near the Artic part of the world.

7. Human Activity Southern California's deserts have been profoundly altered by the activities of humans and it may take centuries for the harsh but fragile ecosystem to recover without vigorous intervention to restore natural habitats. Recreational use of off-road vehicles compacts the soil, reducing its ability to absorb water. The only pollution in the desert is from the off- road vehicles and the military bases. Military bases have huge numbers of acres because of the privacy and protection they need. By the way this is my sand drag :D

8. Resources www.google.com www.blueplanetbiomes.org www.ask.com www.newsroom.ucr.edu/news