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Desert Ecosystems: Features & Survival

Deserts are defined as barren landscapes that receive little precipitation, making living conditions difficult for plants and animals. About one-third of the Earth's land is classified as arid or semi-arid, including polar and cold deserts. Deserts form through weathering as large temperature variations cause rocks to break down, and they are shaped by wind erosion depositing loose sand and smoothing rocks. Despite infrequent rain, flash floods can occur and further erode desert landscapes. Plants and animals in deserts have special adaptations like wiry plants with deep roots and dormant or nocturnal animals that conserve water.

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50 views1 page

Desert Ecosystems: Features & Survival

Deserts are defined as barren landscapes that receive little precipitation, making living conditions difficult for plants and animals. About one-third of the Earth's land is classified as arid or semi-arid, including polar and cold deserts. Deserts form through weathering as large temperature variations cause rocks to break down, and they are shaped by wind erosion depositing loose sand and smoothing rocks. Despite infrequent rain, flash floods can occur and further erode desert landscapes. Plants and animals in deserts have special adaptations like wiry plants with deep roots and dormant or nocturnal animals that conserve water.

Uploaded by

KOBY LAPIDARIO
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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desert 

is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently,


living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the
unprotected surface of the ground to the processes of denudation. About one-third of the
land surface of the world is arid or semi-arid. This includes much of the polar regions,
where little precipitation occurs, and which are sometimes called polar deserts or "cold
deserts". Deserts can be classified by the amount of precipitation that falls, by the
temperature that prevails, by the causes of desertification or by their geographical
location.
Deserts are formed by weathering processes as large variations in temperature between
day and night put strains on the rocks, which consequently break in pieces. Although rain
seldom occurs in deserts, there are occasional downpours that can result in flash floods.
Rain falling on hot rocks can cause them to shatter, and the resulting fragments and
rubble strewn over the desert floor are further eroded by the wind. This picks up particles
of sand and dust and wafts them aloft in sand or dust storms. Wind-blown sand grains
striking any solid object in their path can abrade the surface. Rocks are smoothed down,
and the wind sorts sand into uniform deposits. The grains end up as level sheets of sand
or are piled high in billowing sand dunes. Other deserts are flat, stony plains where all the
fine material has been blown away and the surface consists of a mosaic of smooth
stones. These areas are known as desert pavements, and little further erosion takes
place. Other desert features include rock outcrops, exposed bedrock and clays once
deposited by flowing water. Temporary lakes may form and salt pans may be left when
waters evaporate. There may be underground sources of water, in the form of springs
and seepages from aquifers. Where these are found, oases can occur.
Plants and animals living in the desert need special adaptations to survive in the harsh
environment. Plants tend to be tough and wiry with small or no leaves, water-
resistant cuticles, and often spines to deter herbivory. Some annual plants germinate,
bloom and die in the course of a few weeks after rainfall, while other long-lived plants
survive for years and have deep root systems able to tap underground moisture. Animals
need to keep cool and find enough food and water to survive. Many are nocturnal, and
stay in the shade or underground during the heat of the day. They tend to be efficient at
conserving water, extracting most of their needs from their food and concentrating
their urine. Some animals remain in a state of dormancy for long periods, ready to
become active again during the rare rainfall. They then reproduce rapidly while conditions
are favorable before returning to dormancy.

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