Transcript The Biome of a Temperate Desert

The Biome of a
Temperate Desert
By Lizz S. and Sam S.
Climate Characteristics
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Average Annual Temperature: 20-25 degrees Celsius
The temperature range during the year reaches as
high as 40 degrees Celsius and as low as -18 degrees
Celsius at night
Average Annual Precipitation- less than 25 cm per
year
The main form of precipitation is snow or fog
Graph of Precipitation and Average
Temperature
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm
Other Limiting Factors
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The soils are coarse and rocky
Hard for plants to grow
Lie between 20-30 degrees North and South of
the Equator
High pressure areas
Lack of precipitation
Types of Plants
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Prickly Pear and Saguaro Cactus
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Adaptations:
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Reduction of leaves, often into
spines for protection
Development of the stem as a major
photosynthetic structure
Water storage in the stem
Development of defense structures
Coating the plant with a thick waxy
cuticle
A dense coating of hairs
(trichomes)
Extensive underground root
systems
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/bi
omes/desert.htm
Temperate Desert in North Dakota
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm
Types of Animals
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Bactrian Camel and
Zebratail Lizard
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Adaptations:
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Nocturnal Lifestyle
Living in Burrows
Slender bodies with long
limbs
Specialized snouts
Waxy body coatings
Efficient kidneys
Eyes protected from the
sun
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.ht
m
Degree of Biodiversity
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The degree of biodiversity is high
Many different types of plants and animals that
thrive there.
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm
Biomass Pyramid
Top CarnivoreCougar, Eurasian
Lynx
Midlevel CarnivoreAmerican jackal,
Arctic wolf
Lower level carnivore- sand fox,
Corsac fox
Herbivore- Bighorn sheep
Primary Producer- Cacti, aloe, bunchgrass
Temperate Desert Distribution
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm
Reference Page
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Ingles, Dr. Lloyd Glen. "The Desert Biome." The World's
Biomes. 1999. UCMP. 21 Oct. 2008
http://http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.p
hp.
"Temperate Desert Biome." Biomes. 4 July 2008. 21 Oct. 2008
http://http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/biologypages/b
/biomes.html.
"Climate." The Desert Biomes. Marietta College. 21 Oct.
2008 http://http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm.
Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment:
Principles, Connections, and Solutions. California: Wadsworth
Group.