The Desert
BY: DERYN BRAUCKMAN
VITALS OF THE DESERT
Locations
Most deserts are found on the 30 degree latitude north and south lines on the globe. Some deserts are the Sahara Desert, the Australian Desert, the Arabian Desert, and many more.
Abiotic Factors in the Desert
One abiotic factor in the desert is rain. The average rainfall in a desert is 20 inches a year. The temperature in a desert varies daily. In the daytime it can get up to very high temperatures, and at night it can be below 0 degrees. This happens because there isn't a lot of moisture in the air so there aren't any clouds, so when the sun goes down, the temperature goes down with it.
The Climate of the Desert
The average temperature of the desert is 100 degrees during the day and 50 or below at night. The average rainfall, for the wettest dessert, is about 20 inches a year. There are very little seasonal changes in the year. Its generally warm, except there is very little rainfall in the winter. In the summer its is very hot.
Plants in the Desert
Plant life in the desert is scarce due to the intense weather changes and little rainfall. However the plants that are in the desert have adapted so that they can live in the climate. One very common plant in the desert is the Saguaro Cactus. Most plants in the desert have adapted so that they bloom right when it starts raining, and whiter quickly. Others have roots that can be up to 80 feet down into the ground so that they can get to underground water.
Animals in the Desert
There are many animals in the desert. Like plants, they are adapted to be able to survive in the desert. Animals in the desert have adapted so that they can conserve the nutrients they need, since they might not be able to get their necessities for a while. The camel has adapted in many ways. They store fat in their humps so that they have emergency energy. Even the length of their legs help them. Most other animals in the desert have special eyelids so that they can see through a sand storm
An example of competition in the desert would be something like a rattlesnake and an eagle fighting over a smaller animal, like a desert rat. An example of a predator/prey relationship would be a rattlesnake and a desert rat. The rattlesnake feeds on the desert rat.
Interesting Fact
Only around 20% of the deserts on Earth are covered in sand.
Ecological Concerns
One concern about deserts, is the affect of global warming on it. Even the smallest change in temperature could damage the biome. Also, humans are cutting down trees and causing desertification. Desertification is when humans are actually creating more deserts.
Some endangered species in the desert biome are the Fennec Fox and the Pronghorn. The desert biome is very important to the globe because it is home to many organisms that are important to the world.
References
Tuttle, Sarah. "Abiotic Factors of a Desert Ecosystem." EHow. Demand Media, 01 Apr. 2011. Web. 17 Sept. 2013.
"Desert Biome." Desert Biome. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2013
"Desert Threats." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2013.
"Desert." Desert. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2013