Hot Deserts Flashcards
Where are most deserts located?
30 degrees North and South of the equator
Why are deserts located at 30 degrees North and South of the equator?
Due to air sinking at high pressure as air isn’t rising
What is the climate and temperatures like in deserts?
Warm in the Day
Cold in the Night
How does the plants help the soil?
Soil gains nutrients from dead plant matter
Plants help soil retain moisture providing shade
How does soil help the plants?
Soil provides nutrients and water allowing them to grow
How can humans negatively affect deserts?
Human activity could lead to decreased supply of water in the desert. This leads to a decay in plant life which means that other animals feeding off of these plants may die out. This also means a lack of shade meaning soil will hold less water overall.
State how leaves are adapted to life in the desert?
Small, linear shaped leaves or needles to reduce water loss and some are waxy for the same reasons
State how roots are adapted to life in the desert?
Roots either are shallow but spread across large distances. Other roots go 25m down to find water
State how Saguaro Cactus are adapted to life in the desert?
Grows slow
Stores up to 9 tonnes of water
Can expand to allow more water to be stored
How is a Fennec Fox adapted to desert life?
Have large ears to get rid of heat easier
Have thick fur to keep warm
Have sandy coloured fur to reflect sunlight and keep camouflaged
How is a Kangaroo Rate adapted to desert life?
Have oily skin to reduce heat loss
Live in burrows to avoid sun
Produces little urine
How is a Camel adapted to desert life?
Last week without water and months with no food
Store fate in hump for energy
Have wide feet making it easier to walk on sand
Give 4 opportunities in hot deserts?
Mining
Solar Farm
Tourism
Farming
Give the desert case study?
Western Desert USA
What 3 states does the Western Desert cover?
Arizona
New Mexico
California
Why does tourism occur in the Western Desert ?
Las Vegas was made as an entertainment hub attracting 37 million people
What are the key facts of tourism in the Western Desert?
Las Vegas is home to 2 million people
Sailing and water sports are offered on Lake Mead and Powell
Experience of wildlife in Grand Canyon
What are the potential challenges of tourism in the Western Desert?
Families will on visit in specific times of the year
Why does farming occur in the Western Desert ?
Aquifers allow for high amounts of water which means there is good crop growth
What are the key facts of farming in the Western Desert?
Conditions are good for growth
Irrigational canals are used for large scale farming
What are the potential challenges of farming in the Western Desert?
People would have to work in harsh conditions for poor pay
Why does mineral extraction or energy generation occur in the Western Desert ?
Western Desert is rich in minerals such as Copper, Uranium, Tin and Lead.
What are the key facts of mineral extraction or energy generation in the Western Desert?
High amount of minerals meaning mining will occur in the desert. Also can boost the economy
What are the potential challenges of mineral extraction or energy generation in the Western Desert?
Conflicts of land use between tourism and farming.
Risk to wildlife and a lack of water
What are the 4 challenges of developing areas?
Climate Change
Climate
Water Supply
Transport & Accessibility
How does Climate Change pose a challenge in developing areas?
Affects the water supply due to increasing temperatures
Animals have to adapt to the changing climate
How does Climate pose a challenge in developing areas?
High temps mean more evaporation
Avrg temp is 27 and in summer 50+. Means workers can’t work in conditions
Houses have thick walls to keep houses warm at night
How does Water Supply pose a challenge in developing areas?
If demand increases then more water would have to be piped
Lake Mead is lower in level every year and water scarcity is occurring
30 million people rely on water
How does Transport & Accessibility pose a challenge in developing areas?
Western Desert has low density population meaning there is a lack of paved roads
Less jobs means less urbanisation
Route 66 and 70 set up to connect states
What is desertification?
Process by which land becomes drier and degraded as a result of climate change or human activities
How does desertification affect plant life and soil?
- Amount of natural vegetation decreases
- Means that there is no leaves to intercept rain and soil is exposed
- Sun bakes the soil
- When it rains water runs over surface and isn’t soaked in
- Soil can be washed away
- Soil is degraded and loses fertility
- Soil is worn out and its hard to grow crops
What FRINGE desert are you studying?
Sehal
What are the causes of population pressure in the fringe desert regions?
Large population means there are too many people and over cultivation meaning deforestation allowing soil erosion to occur making less fertile land
What 3 things cause desertification?
Pressure on resources
Population factors
Climate Change
How does pressure on resources cause desertification?
Overgrazing of cattle
More wood for fires
Overuse of aquifers
How does population factors cause desertification?
High fertility with locals
Refugees from conflict
Poverty
How does climate change cause desertification?
Cyclical droughts
Global warming increases temperatures
How does planting Acacia trees manage water?
Leaves shade so water is held in soil better
How does planting Acacia trees manage soil?
Roots binds the soil together preventing it from drying out
How does using stone lines manage water?
Stops water from moving away and reduces surface run off
How does using stone lines manage soil?
Traps soil moved by wind and creates more nutritious soil
How does fuel efficient stoves manage water?
Means more trees are available to provide shade and aren’t chopped down
How does fuel efficient stoves manage soil?
Means more trees aren’t chopped down so can bind the soil and keep water
