Hot Deserts

Question 1

Where are most deserts located?

Answer 1

30 degrees North and South of the equator

Question 2

Why are deserts located at 30 degrees North and South of the equator?

Answer 2

Due to air sinking at high pressure as air isn’t rising

Question 3

What is the climate and temperatures like in deserts?

Answer 3

Warm in the Day
Cold in the Night

Question 4

How does the plants help the soil?

Answer 4

Soil gains nutrients from dead plant matter
Plants help soil retain moisture providing shade

Question 5

How does soil help the plants?

Answer 5

Soil provides nutrients and water allowing them to grow

Question 6

How can humans negatively affect deserts?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

State how leaves are adapted to life in the desert?

Answer 7

Small, linear shaped leaves or needles to reduce water loss and some are waxy for the same reasons

Question 8

State how roots are adapted to life in the desert?

Answer 8

Roots either are shallow but spread across large distances. Other roots go 25m down to find water

Question 9

State how Saguaro Cactus are adapted to life in the desert?

Answer 9

Grows slow
Stores up to 9 tonnes of water
Can expand to allow more water to be stored

Question 10

How is a Fennec Fox adapted to desert life?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

How is a Kangaroo Rate adapted to desert life?

Answer 11

Have oily skin to reduce heat loss
Live in burrows to avoid sun
Produces little urine

Question 12

How is a Camel adapted to desert life?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Give 4 opportunities in hot deserts?

Answer 13

Mining
Solar Farm
Tourism
Farming

Question 14

Give the desert case study?

Answer 14

Western Desert USA

Question 15

What 3 states does the Western Desert cover?

Answer 15

Arizona
New Mexico
California

Question 16

Why does tourism occur in the Western Desert ?

Answer 16

Las Vegas was made as an entertainment hub attracting 37 million people

Question 17

What are the key facts of tourism in the Western Desert?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What are the potential challenges of tourism in the Western Desert?

Answer 18

Families will on visit in specific times of the year

Question 19

Why does farming occur in the Western Desert ?

Answer 19

Aquifers allow for high amounts of water which means there is good crop growth

Question 20

What are the key facts of farming in the Western Desert?

Answer 20

Conditions are good for growth
Irrigational canals are used for large scale farming

Question 21

What are the potential challenges of farming in the Western Desert?

Answer 21

People would have to work in harsh conditions for poor pay

Question 22

Why does mineral extraction or energy generation occur in the Western Desert ?

Answer 22

Western Desert is rich in minerals such as Copper, Uranium, Tin and Lead.

Question 23

What are the key facts of mineral extraction or energy generation in the Western Desert?

Answer 23

High amount of minerals meaning mining will occur in the desert. Also can boost the economy

Question 24

What are the potential challenges of mineral extraction or energy generation in the Western Desert?

Answer 24

Conflicts of land use between tourism and farming.
Risk to wildlife and a lack of water

Question 25

What are the 4 challenges of developing areas?

Answer 25

Climate Change Climate Water Supply Transport & Accessibility

Question 26

How does Climate Change pose a challenge in developing areas?

Answer 26

Affects the water supply due to increasing temperatures Animals have to adapt to the changing climate

Question 27

How does Climate pose a challenge in developing areas?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

How does Water Supply pose a challenge in developing areas?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

How does Transport & Accessibility pose a challenge in developing areas?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

What is desertification?

Answer 30

Process by which land becomes drier and degraded as a result of climate change or human activities

Question 31

How does desertification affect plant life and soil?

Answer 31

1. Amount of natural vegetation decreases 2. Means that there is no leaves to intercept rain and soil is exposed 3. Sun bakes the soil 4. When it rains water runs over surface and isn't soaked in 5. Soil can be washed away 6. Soil is degraded and loses fertility 7. Soil is worn out and its hard to grow crops

Question 32

What FRINGE desert are you studying?

Answer 32

Sehal

Question 33

What are the causes of population pressure in the fringe desert regions?

Answer 33

Large population means there are too many people and over cultivation meaning deforestation allowing soil erosion to occur making less fertile land

Question 34

What 3 things cause desertification?

Answer 34

Pressure on resources Population factors Climate Change

Question 35

How does pressure on resources cause desertification?

Answer 35

Overgrazing of cattle More wood for fires Overuse of aquifers

Question 36

How does population factors cause desertification?

Answer 36

High fertility with locals Refugees from conflict Poverty

Question 37

How does climate change cause desertification?

Answer 37

Cyclical droughts Global warming increases temperatures

Question 38

How does planting Acacia trees manage water?

Answer 38

Leaves shade so water is held in soil better

Question 39

How does planting Acacia trees manage soil?

Answer 39

Roots binds the soil together preventing it from drying out

Question 40

How does using stone lines manage water?

Answer 40

Stops water from moving away and reduces surface run off

Question 41

How does using stone lines manage soil?

Answer 41

Traps soil moved by wind and creates more nutritious soil

Question 42

How does fuel efficient stoves manage water?

Answer 42

Means more trees are available to provide shade and aren't chopped down

Question 43

How does fuel efficient stoves manage soil?

Answer 43

Means more trees aren't chopped down so can bind the soil and keep water

Question 44

Give 3 physical factors of desertification?

Answer 44

Droughts Temperature change Wind

Question 45

How do droughts lead to desertification?

Answer 45

Less rainfall means that the soil becomes drier

Question 46

How does the changing temperature cause desertification?

Answer 46

An increase in temp due to global warming means that there is more evaporation and soil loses water

Question 47

How does the wind cause desertification?

Answer 47

Strips the topsoil away and means the soil becomes less fertile.