desert biome ruby batch 2012

Desert BiomeDesert Biome

A special compilation A special compilation of information by of information by

Jomel, Stephen and Jomel, Stephen and Ken……..Ken……..

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What is a Desert?What is a Desert?

A A desertdesert is a is a landscape or region landscape or region that receives very little that receives very little precipitation. Deserts precipitation. Deserts are part of a wider are part of a wider classification of regions classification of regions that, on an average that, on an average annual basis, have a annual basis, have a moisture deficit (i.e. moisture deficit (i.e. they can potentially they can potentially lose more than is lose more than is received). Deserts are received). Deserts are located where located where vegetation cover is vegetation cover is exceedingly sparse. exceedingly sparse.

4 major types of desert4 major types of desert Hot and Dry DesertHot and Dry Desert Semiarid DesertSemiarid Desert Coastal DesertCoastal Desert Cold DesertCold Desert

Hot and dry desertHot and dry desert

The Namib desert. The Namib desert. It's hot and dry, but It's hot and dry, but by no means devoid by no means devoid of lifeof life..

Semiarid DesertSemiarid Desert

Semi arid desert Semi arid desert steppe of western steppe of western KazakhstanKazakhstan

Coastal DesertCoastal Desert

On the southwest coast of Africa, the On the southwest coast of Africa, the soft orange sands of Namibia's coastal soft orange sands of Namibia's coastal desert rise to a rugged interior plateau, desert rise to a rugged interior plateau, with outcroppings of colorful rocks and with outcroppings of colorful rocks and pale green vegetation. The large pale green vegetation. The large coastal desert is one of the oldest in coastal desert is one of the oldest in the world, and is caused by a cool the world, and is caused by a cool ocean current, called the Benguela ocean current, called the Benguela Current, snaking its way up from the Current, snaking its way up from the south along southern Africa’s Atlantic south along southern Africa’s Atlantic Coast. The cold current suppresses Coast. The cold current suppresses rainfall, but contributes to a morning fog rainfall, but contributes to a morning fog that becomes trapped on the surface of that becomes trapped on the surface of some dunes and provides enough some dunes and provides enough moisture for sparse vegetation to grow moisture for sparse vegetation to grow in some places. in some places.

Cold desertsCold deserts

Cold Desert in Cold Desert in Trans-Himalayans Trans-Himalayans (above).(above).

Cold Desert in Cold Desert in Greenland (below)Greenland (below)

This environment is This environment is found on the peaks found on the peaks of high mountains of high mountains and near the polesand near the poles..

Desert Biome Map Of the Desert Biome Map Of the WorldWorld

Temperatures of DesertsTemperatures of DesertsHot and Dry Hot and Dry DesertDesert

Many mean annual temperatures range Many mean annual temperatures range from 20-25° C. The extreme maximum from 20-25° C. The extreme maximum ranges from 43.5-49° C. Minimum ranges from 43.5-49° C. Minimum temperatures sometimes drop to -18° temperatures sometimes drop to -18° C.C.

Semiarid DesertSemiarid Desert Summer temperatures usually average Summer temperatures usually average between 21-27° C. It normally does not between 21-27° C. It normally does not go above 38° C and evening go above 38° C and evening temperatures are cool, at around 10° C.temperatures are cool, at around 10° C.

Coastal DesertCoastal Desert The average summer temperature The average summer temperature ranges from 13-24° C; winter ranges from 13-24° C; winter temperatures are 5° C or below. The temperatures are 5° C or below. The maximum annual temperature is about maximum annual temperature is about 35° C and the minimum is about -4° C. 35° C and the minimum is about -4° C.

Cold DesertCold Desert The mean winter temperature is The mean winter temperature is between -2 to 4° C and the mean between -2 to 4° C and the mean summer temperature is between 21-summer temperature is between 21-26° C.26° C.

Forms of desertForms of desert

Mountain and Basin deserts.Mountain and Basin deserts. Hamada deserts which consists of Hamada deserts which consists of

plateau landforms.plateau landforms. Regs, which are formed by rock Regs, which are formed by rock

pavements.pavements. Ergs, formed by sand seasErgs, formed by sand seas Intermontane BasinsIntermontane Basins Badlands, Consist of clay-rich soils.Badlands, Consist of clay-rich soils.

Habitats in a desertHabitats in a desert

The desert is thought to support little life but in reality it The desert is thought to support little life but in reality it has a high biodiversity. has a high biodiversity.

They often come at night to control body temperature and They often come at night to control body temperature and to limit moisture needs.to limit moisture needs.

Some of these animals include; jackrabbit, coyote and Some of these animals include; jackrabbit, coyote and many lizards.many lizards.

Most organisms strive in near oasis but some can live Most organisms strive in near oasis but some can live mainly in the desert itself.mainly in the desert itself.

Food web in a desertFood web in a desert

Energy Pyramid in a desertEnergy Pyramid in a desert

Plants in a desertPlants in a desert

Animals in a DesertAnimals in a Desert

Animals in a DesertAnimals in a Desert

Is desert dangerous?Is desert dangerous?

Desert is dangerous to humans specifically Desert is dangerous to humans specifically on sandstorms and high temperature which on sandstorms and high temperature which can cause dehydration, sweating, heat can cause dehydration, sweating, heat stroke and respiratory ailments (e.g. stroke and respiratory ailments (e.g. asthma)asthma)

Desert life is nomadic to humans that’s why Desert life is nomadic to humans that’s why no human has ever lived in a desert beforeno human has ever lived in a desert before..

Sources:Sources:

Made by:Made by:

Stephen Albert D. VillenaStephen Albert D. Villena -Designer/Researcher-Designer/Researcher

Jomel MaromaJomel Maroma -Researcher-Researcher

Observer/ ResearcherObserver/ Researcher Keano Lev EslabonKeano Lev Eslabon

Thank you for watching!!!Thank you for watching!!!