ECOSYSTEM PROJECTSAHARA DESERT

By Chloe Mc Kenna

MAP SHOWING SAHARA DESERT

DEFINITIONS Habitat is the area/environment where an

organism or ecological community live. Ecosystem is an ecological community together

with its environment, functioning as a unit. Biosphere is the part of the earth and its

atmosphere in which living organisms exist. Abiotic factors are non living chemical and

physical factors in the environment. Biotic factors are living things that shape an

ecosystem.They are any living component that effects another organism.

CLIMATE

CLIMATEThe Sahara is one of the hottest deserts in the

world. Hot, dry, dusty days in summer with high night temperatures. There can also be sandstorms and strong wind at the change of seasons.  There is little rainfall and no cloud cover, a lot of heat is lost at night, so there can be a high diurnal range, with very hot days and cold nights. Day temperatures can exceed 55 degrees Celsius; yet can drop below freezing at night. However, night temperatures can be very hot too.

PLANTS African Welwitchsia

The African welwitchsia manages to survive the harsh conditions of the Sahara desert due to its extremely deep roots. These roots go deep into the earth and absorb as much water as possible. This helps the plant to cope with the hot and dry desert conditions. The African welwitchsia has been known to survive for over hundreds or even thousands of years.

AFRICAN PEYOTE CACTUSThe African peyote cactus is built with thick stems. The thickness of the stems helps the plant to hold back water for a long time. The leaves of the cactus are reduced to spines. This helps in preventing water loss from the from evaporation. In absence of any rain in the desert, these properties of the plant are the main reasons for its survival. This plant is also used for medicinal purposes. Mescaline, an alkaloid found in the plant, has been found to be effective for the treatment of diseases like schizophrenia and other psychoses.

ERAGROSTIS The eragrostis is a kind of grass that is

prevalent in the region. This grass spreads rapidly, and is used by the inhabitants of the desert. Eragrostis is also popularly known as 'lovegrass'.

COMMON FIG A deciduous tree that reaches a height of up

to 6 m, is also included in the list of the plants that survive in the Sahara Desert. Although it is surprising to evident the growth of this moist, edible fruit-bearing tree in the desert, it is true that figs have been a staple of the people's diet.

ANIMALS Addax Antelope is one of the most beautiful

animals in the world. They are flat-footed antelopes that can easily traverse the sandy landscape of the Sahara. They are classified as critically endangered with an estimated 500 of them left in the wilderness. Reasons for this include heavy poaching for their meat and leather, along with deteriorating habitats by human encroachment and global warming. They are rather slow because of their size and their flat hooves, making it all the more difficult for them to run from predators.

DROMEDARY CAMELS There are two major types of camels found in

the world, Bactrian and Dromedary camels. The Dromedary camel, which is said to be of Arabian Origin, is the main Saharan camel. The interesting thing about dromedary camels is that they store fat in their humps and not water. It can drink up to 100 liters of water in 10 minutes! But it is the favorite domesticated animal among the Saharan people as it has great strength, endurance and can go without water and food for a very long time.

DORCAS GAZELLE The Dorcas Gazelle is another exceptionally

beautiful animal found in the Sahara. It is the most common species of gazelle and stands up to 65 cm tall and weighs around 25 kg.Their diet consists of leaves from trees and any bushes. They do this to demotivate the predator by showing off their fitness, while also warning the others. Theyare considered threatened and vulnerable. They are known to reach running speeds of about 49 miles per hour.

DUNG BEETLE A species of beetles that feeds entirely off animal

waste, the dung beetle is an integral part of the Sahara. There are essentially three types of dung beetles, the one that roll the poop, the ones that dig burrows and the ones that are kind of lazy and just live in the dung. They somehow manage to form a seemingly perfect sphere out of the dung and then roll it all the way home. The ones that burrow simply make a hole very close to the dung, while the third will just dig into to the dung itself. It is mostly the male that does all the dung hauling, while the female will dig the burrow and stay inside.

FACTS ABOUT THE SAHARA 1. Deserts cover more than one fifth of the Earth's

land.2. Deserts receive less than 10 inches of rain per year.3. Deserts can reach high temperatures up to 120°F.4. Much of Antarctica is desert. There are cold deserts.5. The Sahara Desert is larger than the United States.6. The Sahara desert means ‘great desert’ 7. The Saguaro Cactus can live up to 200 years.8. A few Nomad tribes actually live in the Sahara Desert.9. Deserts are found on every continent of the world.10. Many desert animals are nocturnal. They come out at night when it is cooler to avoid the heat of the day.

FOOD CHAIN

ENVIROMENTAL THREATS AGAINST ECOSYSTEM

Threats to the survival of plants native to the Sahara Desert.

Overgrazing is one of the major threats to the desert habitat. 

Deserts are being used as dump sites for nuclear waste and as nuclear testing grounds.

CLOTHING Bare skin burns in the hot desert sun. For

protection, the Tuareg wear layers of loose-fitting cotton clothes.

Men wear loose-fitting shirts and pants under large indigo robes.

Women almost always wear two wrappers, long pieces of cloth worn like skirts around their waists. On top, they often wear two blouses. Over the entire ensemble they wear large indigo head cloths.

ACTIVITIES Camel rides Cricket Dune bashing Sand boarding Quad tours Golf

DANGERS & POSSIBLE THREATS Damage to native plants Climate change (sea levels rising) Animals being killed Pollution(litter, air) Human activity Over grazing

HABITATS

HABITATS Animals that live in the desert have

adaptations to cope with the lack of water, the extreme temperatures, and the shortage of food. To avoid daytime heat, many desert animals are nocturnal; they burrow beneath the surface or hide in the shade during the day, emerging at night to eat. Many desert animals do not have to drink at all; they get all the water they need from their food. Most desert animals are small.

INDUSTRY It’s a vision that has long enticed energy

planners: solar panels stretching out over vast swaths of the Sahara desert, soaking up sun to generate clean, green power.

Companies explore for oil or gas in the Sahara.