Desert Biome
Description
- Found in lower latitudes between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (ex. The Sahara desert in Africa).
Abiotic Factors
Biotic Factors
- The majority of the animals in the desert are nocturnal and get their water from their source of food. The animals in this area include: Snakes, lizards, Dingo, Coyote, Porcupines, rabbits, etc.
- Plant adaptations: The cactus has a hairy texture that helps reflect the heat from the sun and the aloe plant has a waxy surface to help retain water.
- Animal adaptations: Camels have humps that store fat (not water) that they can metabolize for energy. The Fennec Fox has kidneys which have adapted to restrict water loss.
Interactions
Food Chain
primary consumer: insects,rodents, and lizards.
secondary consumer: Snake, tarantulas, scorpions, and lizards.
tertiary consumer: hawk, fox.
Food Web
primary consumer: insects, rodents, and lizards.
secondary consumer: snakes, lizards, and scorpions.
tertiary consumer: hawk, desert foxes.
Importance of Biome
Human Impacts on Biome
- Polluting the atmosphere, which affects the deserts temperature through global warming.
- Drilling for fossil fuels, which causes pollution and harms the animals.
- Taking sand and overhunting animals in the desert, which causes animals to become endangered or go extinct.
Citations
The desert biome. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2016, from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.php
Desert Biome. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2016, from http://www.bioexpedition.com/desert-biome/
Category:Images. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2016, from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Images