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Deserts

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Contains four national parks: Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Zion and Grand Canyon ... Rain shadow effect, mountains blocking rain, is responsible for such extreme weather ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Deserts


1
Deserts
By, Mukhdip Singh
2
What is a Desert?
Many deserts are formed by rain shadows. Deserts
receive anywhere from 2 to 20 inches of rain
annually. Extreme temperature fluctuation occurs
because of low humidity. The landscape is mostly
barren deserts cover 1/5 of the Earths surface.
Arid Desert - occur at low latitudes
-Very hot and arid for most of the year
-Plants are mainly shrubs and small trees which
have evolved to retain water -Animals are
most nocturnal but can be active during the day
they can be found under the shade of trees and
shrubs
Costal Desert -Found near the Tropics of
Cancer and Capricorn -Most complex type
of desert, because they are affected by the cold
ocean currents - sandy
soil with a high alkaline content
Cold Desert - Found in Antarctic, Greenland and
the Nearctic realms -Receive high amounts of rain
and snow and have very low temperatures
3
Plants and Animals
Plants -The succulent plants that inhabit the
in the arid environment have evolved to their
surrounding. Adaptations include spiny, bitter,
or toxic features to protect themselves. Also,
CAM plants survive by opening their stomata
during night rather than in the day in order to
conserve water. Desert plants include cactus,
tumble weeds, wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and
grasses, etc.
Animals -Most animals that inhabit the desert
are mostly nocturnal. They have adapted to the
extreme conditions by staying in burrows or under
shelter, to avoid the blazing sun. Some animals
store massive amounts of water in there bodies.
Animals get most of their water from the plants
they consume.
Desert animals include snakes, lizards, foxes,
mice, vultures, camels ,etc.
4
Mojave Desert (Death Valley)
-Covers parts of Southern California,
southwestern Utah, southern Nevada, and
northwestern Arizona
-Contains four national parks Death Valley,
Joshua Tree, Zion and Grand Canyon
-Death Valley is the lowest, hottest and driest
point in North America -Elevation of 626 feet
below sea level -Temperatures above 120F
- 1.5 inches of rain in some locations
Rain shadow effect, mountains blocking rain, is
responsible for such extreme weather
-51 species of native mammals -307 species of
birds -36 species of reptiles -3 species of
amphibians -2 species of native fish
5
Human Impact on Deserts
Recreational Off-Road Vehicles cause the most
damage by leaving tracks
The tracks damage the soil and vegetation plants
in the desert take a long time to grow and
develop
With the vegetation harmed the animals lose there
food source and their population declines
The animals that take shelter in the sand can be
harmed by the mayhem above the surface
Military testing of weapons has destroyed life
and left radiation behind
6
Bactrian Camel
-Located in China and Mongolia
-Less than 1000 survive, and this animal is
Critically Endangered
- Great Gobi Reserve A in Mongolia has placed
efforts to protect the animal
-Threats
-Decreasing Oases caused by droughts
-Wolves have increased predation
-Highly toxic illegal mining
-Hunting both for food and sport
7
References
1. http//www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_desert.htm
2. http//www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/de
serts.php
3. http//www.eoearth.org/article/Adaptations_of_d
esert_plants
4. http//www.iucnredlist.org/details/63543
5. http//www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Mojave
-Desert
6.http//library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/text/impa
ct/impact.desert.html
7. http//www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/artic
les/mojave/mojave01a.html
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