The Biome of a The Biome of a Temperate DesertTemperate Desert

By Lizz S. and Sam S.By Lizz S. and Sam S.

Climate CharacteristicsClimate Characteristics

Average Annual Temperature: 20-25 degrees CelsiusAverage Annual Temperature: 20-25 degrees Celsius The temperature range during the year reaches as The temperature range during the year reaches as

high as 40 degrees Celsius and as low as -18 degrees high as 40 degrees Celsius and as low as -18 degrees Celsius at nightCelsius at night

Average Annual Precipitation- less than 25 cm per Average Annual Precipitation- less than 25 cm per yearyear

The main form of precipitation is snow or fogThe main form of precipitation is snow or fog

Graph of Precipitation and Average Graph of Precipitation and Average Temperature Temperature

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Other Limiting FactorsOther Limiting Factors

The soils are coarse and rockyThe soils are coarse and rocky Hard for plants to growHard for plants to grow Lie between 20-30 degrees North and South of Lie between 20-30 degrees North and South of

the Equator the Equator High pressure areasHigh pressure areas Lack of precipitationLack of precipitation

Types of PlantsTypes of Plants Prickly Pear and Saguaro CactusPrickly Pear and Saguaro Cactus

Adaptations:Adaptations: Reduction of leaves, often into Reduction of leaves, often into

spines for protectionspines for protection Development of the stem as a major Development of the stem as a major

photosynthetic structurephotosynthetic structure Water storage in the stemWater storage in the stem Development of defense structuresDevelopment of defense structures Coating the plant with a thick waxy Coating the plant with a thick waxy

cuticlecuticle A dense coating of hairs A dense coating of hairs

(trichomes)(trichomes) Extensive underground root Extensive underground root

systemssystems

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Temperate Desert in North DakotaTemperate Desert in North Dakota

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Types of AnimalsTypes of Animals Bactrian Camel and Bactrian Camel and

Zebratail LizardZebratail Lizard Adaptations:Adaptations:

Nocturnal LifestyleNocturnal Lifestyle Living in BurrowsLiving in Burrows Slender bodies with long Slender bodies with long

limbslimbs Specialized snoutsSpecialized snouts Waxy body coatings Waxy body coatings Efficient kidneysEfficient kidneys Eyes protected from the Eyes protected from the

sunsun

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Degree of BiodiversityDegree of Biodiversity

The degree of biodiversity is high The degree of biodiversity is high Many different types of plants and animals Many different types of plants and animals

that thrive there. that thrive there.

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Biomass PyramidBiomass Pyramid

Primary Producer- Cacti, aloe, bunchgrass

Herbivore- Bighorn sheep

Lower level carnivore- sand fox, Corsac fox

Midlevel Carnivore- American jackal, Arctic wolf

Top Carnivore- Cougar, Eurasian Lynx

Temperate Desert DistributionTemperate Desert Distribution

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Reference PageReference Page Ingles, Dr. Lloyd Glen. "The Desert Biome." Ingles, Dr. Lloyd Glen. "The Desert Biome." The World's The World's

BiomesBiomes. 1999. UCMP. 21 Oct. 2008 . 1999. UCMP. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://http://http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.phpwww.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.php..

"Temperate Desert Biome." "Temperate Desert Biome." BiomesBiomes. 4 July 2008. 21 Oct. . 4 July 2008. 21 Oct. 2008 2008 http://http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/biologypages/bhttp://http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/biologypages/b/biomes.html/biomes.html..

  "Climate." "Climate." The Desert BiomesThe Desert Biomes. Marietta College. 21 Oct. . Marietta College. 21 Oct. 2008 2008 http://http://http://http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htmwww.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm..

Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment: Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions. California: Wadsworth Principles, Connections, and Solutions. California: Wadsworth Group. Group.