The Desert

By Ryan Bailey

What Is a Desert?• A desert is a region of land that is extremely

dry and sandy due to the lack of rainfall.• Only plants and animals that are very well

adapted to the dry climate survive here.

Desert Plants• Some plants that are commonly found in the desert

are the barrel cactus, the creosote bush, and the yucca.

• Most of these plants get water by absorbing it through their long roots, or from the air. Then they store it within their leaves or stems.

YuccaCreosote Bush

Barrel Cactus

Chart of Cactus

Desert Animals• A few animals that are located in the desert

are the yellow scorpion, the gila monster, and the rattlesnake.

• Most of these animals prey on smaller animals, such as mice. There are also herbivores in the desert.

ScorpionGila Monster

Landforms in The Desert • The desert is mostly covered by sand, but

there are other structures located in the desert as well, such as mesas (flat topped hills), playas (dry lake beds) and arroyos (dried streams that may create small canyons in the desert).

PlayaMesa

How Much Rain Falls in The Desert?

• The desert receives less than 10 inches of rain each year.

Here is a chart that displays the amount of rain in the desert compared to other biomes

How Much of the Earth’s Surface is Covered By Desert?

• 33%, or one third of the world is desert.• Shown in the background, deserts are very

vast and cover up a lot of the world that is not covered by the ocean.

• Fun Fact: Antarctica is a desert

What is an Oasis?• An oasis (plural oases) is an area of

vegetation that is usually surrounding a spring or body of water. These oases also provide a habitat for animals.

Oasis

What is a Sandstorm and How Do They Form?

• A sandstorm is a storm of winds that blows around large clouds of sand.

• Sandstorms form when winds pick up loosely held together particles and cause them to repeatedly strike the ground and break up other particles.

Sandstorm approaches city

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou2MCqNLHC8&edufilter=d7ynpfA3jPD2Yj-LVydV6Q

Death Valley

• Death Valley is the driest and lowest place in North America.

• It is 282 feet below sea level and has had temperatures up to 134 degrees farenheit.

Extreme Heat Caution Sign

Death Valley

Conclusion

• In conclusion, deserts may be dangerous places for humans, but they are great habitats for animals who are adapted to those environments. Plus, they provide amazing scenery for us to admire.