Temperate Desert By: David F. and Jaclyn O.

Climate

• Daytime temperatures are high in the summer and low in the winter.

• Average Annual Temperature is °F

• Temperatures are as low as 8°F in January and as high as 119°F in August.

• Precipitation is low, less than 100 cm a year.

Plants

• All plants in a Temperate Desert must be adapted to the dry conditions.

• Common adaptations:

– Reduction of leaves

– A thick waxy cuticle

– Dense coating of hairs

– Extensive underground root system

Prickly Pear

Saguaro Cactus

Plants cont.

• High diversity index– There are a variety of

plants that are adapted to the environment.

– Ex: trichomes, cactus, joshua trees, wildflowers, smoke tree, agave, yucca, etc.

Fishhook Cactus

Trichomes

Animals

• The desert is full of animal life but they spend much of their time hiding.

• These animals have many strategies for surviving in the desert:

– Nocturnal lifestyle

– Living in burrows

– Slender bodies with long limbs

– Specialized snouts, waxy body coatings, and efficient kidneys

– Long eyelashes

Zebratail Lizard

Rock hyrax

Animals cont.

• High diversity index – There are a variety of

animals that are adapted to the environment.

– Ex: camels, lizards, coyotes, tortoises, bighorn sheep, quails, jack rabbits, roadrunners, rats, etc.

Bactrian Camel

Biomass Pyramid

WORKS CITED

• "The Desert Biomes." Marietta College Department of Biology and Environmental Science's Biomes of the World. Marietta College. 17 Oct. 2008 <http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/biome_main.htm>.

• "Deserts." Desert USA. 1996-2008. Desert USA. 16 Oct. 2008 <http://www.desertusa.com/magoct97/oct_czcet.html>.

• Miller, Tyler G. Living in the Environment. 12th ed. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2002. 133-35.