Hot Deserts

Question 1

What are the characteristics of a hot desert?

Answer 1

HIgh temperatures, low rainfall, arid environment

Question 2

Where are deserts located?

Answer 2

Around the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (15 - 30 degrees north and south of the equator)

Question 3

What is the worlds largest desert?

Answer 3

Sahara

Question 4

What is the average rainfall in a desert?

Answer 4

Less than 250mm per year

Question 5

What is the temperature like in the desert?

Answer 5

Can reach over 45 degrees in the day and can drop below 0 degrees at night

Question 6

Is there a high or low biodiversity in the desert?

Answer 6

Low as there aren’t many plants and animals that live there

Question 7

What are hot deserts?

Answer 7

Parts of the world that have high average temperatures, around 45 degrees, and a very low precipitation of less than 250mm per year

Question 8

What is the climate like in a desert?

Answer 8

Very hot and very dry

Question 9

How are deserts formed?

Answer 9

Winds die at the equator, air north and south are more dense, winds move upwards at equator, warm air goes north and south from equator then sinks at the tropics, rains at equator where rainforests are and not where the deserts are

Question 10

How is the cactus adapted?

Answer 10

Thin waxy layer to reduce water loss, thorns for protection, water stored in leaves and stems, rapid life style (grows quickly when rain comes), long roots to absorb water, bulbs on roots to absorb the water

Question 11

How is the Desert Jerboa adapted?

Answer 11

Long legs for fast movement, nocturnal, huge ears to hear prey and to help them stay cool, pale fur reflects light

Question 12

What is desertification?

Answer 12

The process by which fertile land becomes desert. Usually on the edge of an existing desert. It becomes drier and less productive. It is caused by both human and physical factors

Question 13

Name a cause of desertification

Answer 13

human activities, (eg. ploughing), population growth, soil erosion, climate change

Question 14

Name a solution for desertification

Answer 14

Planting more trees, bunds (magic stones), Terrace/ Contore farming, efficient stoves

Question 15

What percentage of land is affected by defertification?

Answer 15

33.3%

Question 16

What are bunds?

Answer 16

Stones that are planted in lines parallel to the slope gradient. They help prevent soil erosion and slow the flow of rainwater so it has time to soak into the ground

Question 17

What is Terrace/ Contore Farming?

Answer 17

This involves constructing steps in the farmland. It helps stabalise the soil and reduce soil erosion. This reduces the speed at which water flows across the surface. The risk of desertification is reduced as the soil maintains its nutrients.

Question 18

What are efficient stoves?

Answer 18

Made locally using more available materials like clay instead of coal and wood. This leaves the firewood for more important things like cooking which overall reduces deforestation so more tree roots will be in the ground which stabilises the soil and reduces soil erosion.