The Gobi Desert in Ancient Times
Article made by: Siya Patel
Introduction
Picture yourself in the world's 5th largest desert with little water to survive. You are a nomad herding animals, with so much moving around. The day is hot and the night is cold. You are now in the Gobi Desert.
Geography and Climate
The Gobi desert is a vast desert in central Asia. The total area of this desert is approximately 500,000 square miles. The Gobi separates China from its invaders, so this is why it would be a natural barrier. It covers some of China's north and parts of Mongolia as well. In the east there are low-lying plains, and the desert is surrounded by mountain ranges. The land is mostly bare rock with some hills. The soil is grayish brown with gypsum and halite. Agriculture is developed along river valleys, salt marshes lie in sheltered and private areas. Few plants grow in the Gobi, rough grasses and low bushes. Animals include: wild camels, horses, gazelles, and antelope. Most people are nomads who raise sheep, cattle, goats and camels. The summer is very hot with temperatures as high as 113F. The winter is cold and harsh with temperatures as low as -40F, sometimes frost and snow cover sand dunes. Most of the Gobi's water is underground. A few sand dunes are formed by persistent wind storms or heavy erosion. The Gobi is a main source of fossil fuels.
The Gobi Desert Mountains in the Winter.
The Gobi Desert in the hot Summer.
The Gobi desert is a very sandy place.
The Five Regions
Around the Gobi are steppes, which are dry grasslands. The five types of steppes are the Eastern Gobi Desert steppe, the Alashan plateau semidesert, the Gobi Lakes Valley Desert steppe, the Dzungarian/ Junggar Basin semidesert, and the Tian Shan Range.
- The first region is the Eastern Gobi desert steppe. This steppe includes salt pans and small ponds
- The Alashan Plateau semidesert is the second region in the Gobi desert. It has low mountains and desert basins.
- The third region in the Gobi is the Gobi Lakes Valley desert steppe. This layer includes sparse grasses and shrubs.
- The Dzungarian or the Junggar Basin semidesert is like a bridge crossing from Mongolia to China but it is not a bridge.
- The last region is the Tian Shan range which divides the Gobi from the Taklimakan desert.
Plants and Animals
Plants
- Few plants grow in the Gobi Desert
- In order for plants to be able to live in the desert they have to be able to deal with little to no rain
- Many plants have adaptations in to which they take in carbon dioxide during the night and then use it for photosynthesis during the day
- Plants are gifted with long roots that absorb water from a large area.
- They have to lose all their leaves until it rains again.
- The annual rainfall is low but some plants are able to survive with this little bit pf moisture.
- The Batis, a short bright green shrub, has flowers blooming from mid summer to fall.
- Wild Onions are a plant that grow in the Gobi. People eat these and it is said to have a slight distinct hazelnut taste.
- The Saxual tree is perhaps the most important plant in the Gobi. It is the only source of water available in the midst of rock and sand. The trees bark can be squeezed to show the water.
- Animals need to be able to stay in the cold and hot weather if they live in the Gobi Desert.
- The Snow Leopard is the biggest cat in the family and they are very rare because they live in the high elevations, where the mountains are. They have a thick coat to keep warm.
- The Bactarian Camel has two humps and weighs up to a ton. It has nostrils that help it cooperate with sandstorms.
- The Takhi is the last wild horse breed in the world. They are endangered species.
Wild Onions look like little flowers!
The Saxual Tree is very bushy.
Batis grow in groups.
The Bactarian Camel has very bushy hair.
The snow leopards blend in white snow.
The Takhi is a beautiful brown colored horse.
Conclusion
Later that day you hear something coming. You don't know what it is but you know its coming for you. You try to run away but you are surrounded with people trying to take over your home.