Hot Deserts Flashcards
Where are hot desert biomes primarily located?
Around the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
What percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered by hot desert ecosystems?
Approximately 20%
What is the primary characteristic of hot deserts?
Aridity
What is the total annual rainfall in hot deserts?
Below 250 millimetres
What temperature can summer temperatures in hot deserts exceed?
40°C
What is the typical daily temperature range in hot deserts?
From 50°C during the day to as low as -2°C at night
What type of vegetation is typical in hot deserts?
- Cacti
- Thornbushes
Describe the soil characteristics in hot deserts.
Shallow, rough, gravelly, and not very fertile
How do mammals adapt to survive in hot deserts?
Most are small and nocturnal, sleeping underground during the day
What influences the hot desert climate?
- High pressure all year
- Prevailing winds from land masses
- Rain shadow effects
- Cold ocean currents
At what latitude do hot deserts typically form?
Between 15°- 30° north and south of the equator
What is the effect of the atmospheric pressure system on hot deserts?
Sinking air prevents warm air from rising, causing high aridity
What is the nutrient cycle like in hot desert ecosystems?
Very slow due to limited plant growth and lack of water
What is a key factor limiting plant growth in hot deserts?
Extremes of temperature and lack of water
Fill in the blank: The nutrient cycling of hot desert biomes results in soils that are _______.
Coarse, sandy, and low in nutrients
True or False: Most plants in hot deserts have long life cycles.
False
