LW - Hot Desert

Question 1

Where are Hot Deserts located?

Answer 1

Dry continental interiors in a belt 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south

Question 2

Why are there few clouds in Hot Deserts?

Answer 2

Air rises at the equator -> descends at the latitudes -> high pressure anticyclone

Question 3

What is the climate like?

Answer 3

• High temperature during the day
• Below freezing at night
• Arid less than 250 mm of rainfall per year

Question 4

What are some plant adaptions?

Answer 4

• Giant saguaro cactus = pleated outside skin to expand when water is soaked up.
• Grows slowly to preserve energy and resources
• Some plants have long taproots (7-10m) to reach groundwater
• Roots close to surface to soak up water before it evaporates
• leaves are small needle like and have a waxy resin to reduce water loss
• Yellow daisy has a bright colour to attract plants and a short stem to preserve water

Question 5

What are the characteristics of the soil?

Answer 5

• Sandy or stony
• Dry but soak up water rapidly
• Evaporation draws salt to the surface -> white residue on surface
• Not fertile
• Lack of dense vegetation