Desert before dinner

1. Desert Period 4 Desert before dinner By Brad, Molly, and Julia

2. “Desert, a whole new world!” • Company name: Oasis • Logo:

3. Locations of Biome

4. Features • Soils that form in arid climates, such as deserts, are predominantly mineral soils with low organic content. The repeated accumulation of water in some soils causes distinct salt layers to form. In many desert soils, a reddish-brown to white layer called caliche is present. Caliche are commonly formed as nodules or as coatings on mineral grains formed by the complicated interaction between water and carbon dioxide released by plant roots or by decaying organic material. • Most desert plants are drought or salt-tolerant. Some store water in their leaves, roots, and stems. Other desert plants have long tap roots that penetrate the water table, anchor the soil, and control erosion. The stems and leaves of some plants lower the surface velocity of sand-carrying winds and protect the ground from erosion.

5. Climate -Experiences less than 10 inches of precipitation each year. Some years may experience no precipitation at all. -Arid -Hot -Dry

6. Seasonal Information • In most cases, spring and fall are the best times to visit the desert just simply because it would be too hot in the summer. • The best time to see desert animals are at night or early morning. For example, most desert birds have two main activity periods: a major peak in early morning and a minor one in the evening. It is highly recommended to catch the "dawn chorus" of awakening birds as the sky lightens before sunrise. Many desert mammals beat the heat by being nocturnal (night active) or crepuscular (active in the twilight at either end of the day). Just as with birds, evening and early morning are almost always good times to see desert mammals, but mid-day almost never is.

7. Unique Features • Deserts have extreme temperatures. During the day the temperature may reach 50°C or 155 F, when at night it may fall to below 0°C. • Sand covers approximately 20% of Earth’s deserts. • Overall, there is little vegetation because of the hot and dry climate. Most plants are ground-hugging shrubs and short woody trees. Desert animals include small nocturnal carnivores, as well as insects, arachnids, reptiles, and birds.

8. Plant and Animal Species -No leaves -Only has spikes, which carryout photosynthesis -Cactus stems store the water -Humps are used to store fat, which can be converted to energy. -Can last a long time without drinking water. -Don’t sweat much and can raise their body temperature to as much as 11 degrees during the heat of the day

9. Adaptations for Survival • Cacti and rock plants survive in the desert by accumulating moisture into their fleshy tissues. • Birds and large mammals that live in the desert migrate along the desert plains or up into the mountains to survive. Birds can reduce heat by soaring, and snakes avoid heat by moving to the shade when temperature increases.

10. Suggested tourism activities • Sand sliding • Horsebackriding-along the way you’ll see wildlife in its natural environment--mountain zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok, maybe even desert warthogs. • Dunebashing-You and your buddies can clamber in to a sturdy four-wheel drive and let your driver take on the might of Lahbabdesert sand dunes for you. • Hiking-if you want a less intense desert experience and the chance to take in as much nature as possible • Sandboarding-same as snowboarding • Jeep Tour to find living plants and animals or Wildlife Watching

11. Environmental Issues • Global warming is increasing the incidence of drought, which dries up water holes. • Oil and gas production may disrupt sensitive habitat. • Grazing animals can destroy many desert plants and animals.

12. Sources • Bbc.co.uk • Cnn.travel • Environment.nationalgeographic.com • http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert.htm