DESERT

Ecosystem Project

Alex ,Cameron

LOCATION

• Deserts cover about one fifth of the Earth’s land surface.

• Most hot deserts are near the tropic of cancer or Capricorn.

• Hot and dry deserts temp. ranges from 20 to 25° C. The extreme maximum temperature for Hot Desert ranges from 43.5 to 49° C.

• The Sonoran and the Mojave desert climate is very hot up to 134° F.

ABIOTIC FACTORS

• Low precipitation, variable temperatures

• Soils rich in minerals but poor in organic material.

PLANT ADAPTATIONS

• There is about 15 different type of plants in the desert.

• Plants are almost ground hugging shrubs and short woody trees.

• All of the leaves are packed with nutrients.

• Most of the plants in the desert need no water or just a small amount.

• The most popular plant is the Barrel cactus, it has ridges in the sides, and there are dangerously sharp.

ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS

• Some plants and animals can survive body temperatures that would be dangerous to humans

• There is about 5 different type of animals in the Mojave desert.

• Desert animals are more susceptible to temperature extremes than are desert plants.

• animals, such as owls and bats, are active only at night nocturnal when temperatures are lowest.

THREATS TO ECOSYSTEM

• It threats the ecosystem very extreme heat.

• Global warming is increasing the incidence of drought, which dries up water holes.

• Off-road vehicles, when used irresponsibly, can cause irreparable damage to desert habitats.

• Oil and gas production may disrupt sensitive habitat.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert• www.mojavedesert.net/overview• www.desertusa.com• www.drseward.com/geninfo.htm