Hot Deserts

Question 1

What is a desert?

Answer 1

An area that receives less than 250mm of rainfall per year

Question 2

Where are deserts located?

Answer 2

In dry continental areas and away from coasts, approximately 30°N and 30°S

Question 3

Describe the climate in deserts

Question 4

What is plant adaptation?

Answer 4

How plants adjust to survive in the desert?

Question 5

How have succulent plants adapted to survive in the desert?

Answer 5

They store water in their roots, stems, leaves or fruits

Question 6

How have cacti adapted to survive in the desert?

Answer 6

Have spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss through transpiration

Question 7

How have mesquite plants adapted to survive in the desert?

Answer 7

They have long taproots to reach ground water (roots can be as long as 7-10m deep)

Question 8

How have camels adapted to survive in the desert?

Answer 8

• They have large flat feet - spread their weight on the sand so they don’t sink
• They can survive without water for a long time - they lose little water through urination and sweat
• They have slit nostrils and two layers of eyelashes - this helps to keep sand out

Question 9

How have kangaroo rats adapted to survive in the desert?

Answer 9

They are nocturnal and only come out at night when it’s cooler. During the day they live in burrows (which are not too hot or cold)

Question 10

How have snakes and lizards adapted to survive in the desert?

Answer 10

They retain water by having waterproof skin and producing tiny amounts of urine. This helps reduce water loss

Question 11

What is the case study for hot deserts?

Answer 11

The Thar Desert

Question 12

Where is the Thar Desert?

Answer 12

It goes from north-west India into Pakistan

Question 13

What is the environment of the Thar Desert?

Answer 13

• Soils are sandy, not fertile and there is little surface water. This makes it hard for farming.
• Sandy hills with sand dunes with some vegetation e.g small trees, shrubs
• Rainfall is low: 100-240mm per year and temperature is high: up to 53°C

Question 14

What are the opportunities for development in the Thar desert?

Answer 14

• Mineral extraction
• Tourism
• Energy
• Farming

Question 15

How is mineral extraction an opportunity for development?

Answer 15

Valuable minerals such as phosperite (used for making fertilisers) and gypsum (used in making plaster for construction) can be exported and generte an income for the area

Question 16

How is tourism an opportunity for development?

Answer 16

It provides jobs and income for the locals as they provide food and accomodation. Others act as tour guides.

Question 17

How is energy an opportunity for development?

Answer 17

• Coal: Giral - A thermal energy plant has been located
• Oil: Bramer district -a large oilfield discovered
• Wind: Jaisalmer Wind Park - Renewable enrgy and India’s largest wind farm
• Solar: Bhaleri -

Coal and oil can generate income for the country as it is in demand. Wind and solar can provide energy for the locals and is sustainable.

Question 18

How is farming an opportunity for development?

Answer 18

Subsistence farming - farming for food
- Locals survive by subsistence farming by growing vegetable and fruit trees. Vegetation is available or animals to graze

Commercial farming - to sell crops
- The Indira Ghandi Canal has made it possible to irrigate the land. Now crops such as wheat and cotton thrvee in the area and can be sold

Question 19

What are three challenges people face in the desert?

Answer 19

Extreme temperatures, lack of water and accessibility