The Biome of a Temperate Desert

By Lizz S. and Sam S.

Climate Characteristics

    Average Annual Temperature: 20-25 degrees Celsius The temperature range during the year reaches as high as 40 degrees Celsius and as low as -18 degrees Celsius at night Average Annual Precipitation- less than 25 cm per year The main form of precipitation is snow or fog

Graph of Precipitation and Average Temperature

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm

Other Limiting Factors

 The soils are coarse and rocky  Hard for plants to grow  Lie between 20-30 degrees North and South of the Equator  High pressure areas  Lack of precipitation

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Types of Plants

Prickly Pear and Saguaro Cactus  Adaptations:  Reduction of leaves, often into spines for protection  Development of the stem as a major photosynthetic structure  Water storage in the stem  Development of defense structures  Coating the plant with a thick waxy cuticle   A dense coating of hairs (trichomes) Extensive underground root systems http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/bi omes/desert.htm

Temperate Desert in North Dakota

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm

Types of Animals

 Bactrian Camel and Zebratail Lizard  Adaptations:  Nocturnal Lifestyle  Living in Burrows  Slender bodies with long limbs  Specialized snouts  Waxy body coatings  Efficient kidneys  Eyes protected from the sun http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.ht

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Degree of Biodiversity

 The degree of biodiversity is high  Many different types of plants and animals that thrive there. http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm

Biomass Pyramid

Top Carnivore Cougar, Eurasian Lynx Midlevel Carnivore American jackal, Arctic wolf Lower level carnivore- sand fox, Corsac fox Herbivore- Bighorn sheep Primary Producer- Cacti, aloe, bunchgrass

Temperate Desert Distribution

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm

Reference Page

    Ingles, Dr. Lloyd Glen. "The Desert Biome." The World's Biomes. 1999. UCMP. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.p

hp .

"Temperate Desert Biome." Biomes. 4 July 2008. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/biologypages/b /biomes.html

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"Climate." The Desert Biomes. Marietta College. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm

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Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions. California: Wadsworth Group.