Arid, but full of life

The DesertTim Franzen Will Sebolt

Dominick DunlapJimmy Kontra

Environmental Issues

• Global warming is increasing the drought level, which dries up water holes.

• The increase in temperature produces an increasing number of wildfires that alter landscapes. These fires burn down most of plant life, resulting in a barren landscape.

• Irrigation used for agriculture, results in an increase of the salt level in the ground that becomes too high to support plants.

Environment issues continued

• Wild animals that graze can destroy many desert plants and animals, making most near extinction.

• Potassium cyanide used during gold mining may poison wildlife.

• If off-road vehicles are used irresponsibly, they can cause irreparable damage to desert habitats.

• The production of oil and gas may disrupt sensitive habitats.

• Nuclear waste has been dumped in many deserts which have also been used as nuclear testing grounds.

Locations on the Map

Climate

• The average desert gets about 10 inches of rain per year

• It is the hottest biome on Earth• Deserts can reach a temperature of 100˚ F

during the day and 32˚ F at night.

Plants (Saguaro Cactus)

• Cactuses have long roots to reach water deep under the ground

• A fully-grown Saguaro cactus can absorb up to 3,000 liters of water in ten days

• In the desert, water is obviously hard to come by, so the cactus uses its thorns as a defense mechanism to keep animals from getting inside it and drinking its water

Plants (Aloe Plant)

• The waxy surface of the aloe plant acts like a plastic wrapper, keeping water inside

• For centuries, the juice of the aloe plant has been used by Native Americans as a medicine

• Today, doctors use these plants to treat burns

Plants (Joshua Tree)

• It has Evergreen leaves that can be anywhere from 15-35 cm long

• It has long, sensitive roots that reach up to 11 meters underground

• They can live for hundreds of years• They can grow up to 15 meters tall• The Joshua tree lives in the desert because it

can survive droughts

Animals (Camel)

• The camel has two sets of eyelashes to protect its eyes from dust and sand

• Camels can go without water for weeks• The camel’s widely spread feet help prevent

sinking in the sand

Animals (Diamondback Rattlesnake)

• Diamondback Rattlesnakes are extremely poisonous

• They can grow to be 1.5- 2 meters long• Most are nocturnal during the summer • They come out when the temperatureis 70˚-90˚

Animals (Armadillo Lizard)

• The body length of the Armadillo Lizard can be from 15 to 17 inches, the tail can be from 14 to 16 inches long and it weighs anywhere from 8 to 17 pounds

• Even though it's small, predators fail to harm an armadillo lizard because of the armor on its back

• It is able to move easily because of its flattened head, body and club-like tail

Bibliography

• Pictures - Google Images• http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/• http://davesgarden.com/• http://www.mbgnet.net • http://www.wikipedia.org/ • http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org • http://www.buzzle.com