Deserts
A dry barren area of sand.
Climate of the Desert
Temperatures can reach up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and can drop to below 32 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The desert gets on average 20 cm of rain a year. They can be found in The USA, in Mexico, in Africa, and in Saudi Arabia.
Plants and their Adaptations
The plants store water in their plants and leaves, but some plants don't develop leaves so less water is needed. Other plants have waxy coatings on their stems and leaves. They also have long roots that spread out under the ground to collect more water. Some examples of plants in the desert include: the Saguaro Cactus, the Barrel Cactus, and the Old Man Cactus
Animals and their adaptations
Some animals never drink but instead get their water from seeds and plants that they eat. Many animals are nocturnal and others rarely spend time above ground. Some examples of desert animals are: a Desert Lark, a Dingo, and a Fennec Fox.
Human Impact
Humans have drilled for fossil fuels, such as oil. Humans have also taken sand and hunted animals in the desert.
Description of the Land
The soils in the desert have very low to no organic matter in them, they also have very low salt content. In the desert there can be land formations such as butts, which are small mounds of rock that have been carved by the wind and erosion.
Unique Facts
- deserts cover about 20% of the world
- only 10% of deserts are covered by sand dunes
- desert plants can go without water for years at a time