Transcript The Desert - repetto5.com

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.
Barrel Cactus
Creosote Bush
Yucca
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.
Gila Monster
Scorpion
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).
Playa
Mesa
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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Ou2MCqNLHC8&edufilter=d7ynpfA
3jPD2Yj-LVydV6Q
Sandstorm approaches city
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.