HOT DESERTS

Question 1

Describe the climate in hot deserts

Answer 1

Very little rainfall <250 mm per year
Extreme temperatures Hot day (45°)
Cold night (5°)

Question 2

Describe the distribution of hot deserts

Answer 2

Between the tropics of CANCER and CAPRICORN 30N/S

Question 3

DESCRIBE THE PLANT ADAPTATIONS

Answer 3

BARREL CACTUS
Succulent- Stores water(hollow)
Spikes- STOP ANIMALS
Waxy Cuticle- Reduce TRANSPIRTATION
Trap roots- Stabilise;catch as much water
Pleated skin- Expands to hold more water

Question 4

DESCRIBE THE ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS

Answer 4

RATTLE SNAKES
Don't urine - reduce water loss
Thick scales - reduce water loss
Nocturnal - stay cool
CAMELS
Long eyelashes - keep sand out
Large feet - d'ont sink in sand(protected)
Humps - store water

Question 5

X

Answer 5

X

Question 6

X

Answer 6

X

Question 7

C

Answer 7

C

Question 8

WHAT IS DESERTIFICATION

Answer 8

Degradation of land becoming more desert like - drier

Soil erosion that easily removes by wind and water - nutriants ok be soil are lost

Question 9

WHAT CAUSES DESERTIFICATION

Answer 9

CLIMATE CHANGE
Rainfall-Less Rainfall SO plants die- plants hold soil together so soil becomes easily eroded
Temperatures-Temperatures expected to increase more water evaporates -drier

HUMAN ACTIVITIES
OVERGRAZING - Too many cattle eat the plants soil erosion and TRAMPLING
REMOVAL OF FUEL WOOD - Wood for cooking leaves SOIL exposed
OVERCULTIVATION - Crops planted all nutrients used up
POPULATION GROWTH - PRESSURE on land more deforestation/overcultivarion and overgrazing

Question 10

HOW CAN RISK OF DESERTIFICATION BE REDUCED

Answer 10

WATER MANAGEMENT
Growing crops don’t need water-drip irrigation
TREE PLANTING
Trees can be planted as wind brakes to stabilise the soil
SOIL EROSION
Leaving areas of land to rest between grazing- COMPOST
APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
Solar cookers- Reduce deforestation (cheap and easy)