Deserts Flashcards
What are some desert characteristics?
Annual rainfall s surface
extreme variations in climate
How are desert plants well adjusted to extreme light, heat and drought
- Succulence (swollen stems, leaves, roots) retention
- reduced leaves
- annuals germinate, grow, flower after rainy perio
- Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)
- Desiccate/defoliate in drought
What impacts do stressors have on the desert landscape?
- Less native flora and fauna
- More invasive F+F
- accumulation of heavy metals and salts–>erosion
- Loss of moisture retention
- dust storms
What restoration techniques are used?
- Planting and seeding
- Managing water
- manipulating soil
- Providing cover
- Reducing invasives
What planting techniques are used?
Transplants or outplanting
Exclosures to protect from herbivory
-supplemental watering often required
- species adapted to extremes
What is required when seeding in the desert?
Mulching or protective coating from sun wind pred
Supplemental watering
cheap, but not usually successful
What are three things to consider in restoring soils?
Stabilization- contouring, cover, vertical mulching
Soil decompaction: increasees water infiltration
increases root growth and nutrient cycling,
Desert crust- stabalize, retain moisture, fix N
can transplant in buttermilk
