Page 16 - Microsoft Word - geo class task.docx

Biome- Deserts

A desert is a barren area of land where little precipitation occurs and
consequently living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The

lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to
the processes of denudation.

Deserts are among the most poorly monitored and understood biomes in the world, with
evidence suggesting that their biodiversity is declining fast.

• Polar Deserts- such as Antarctica; Hot Deserts- such as the Sahara
th
• Cover about 1/5 of the Earth’s surface
• A place that receives less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain per year is considered a desert.

• Arid Environment: (of land or a climate) having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation.
• Aridity: a deficiency of moisture (especially when resulting from a permanent absence of rainfall) aridness, thirstiness.
dryness, waterlessness

• Desertification: The spread of desert conditions in arid regions due to human activities, drought or climate change.

Issues (human):

Deserts are one such biome that has previously been poorly studied and has received little attention from conservation
activities, despite covering 17% of global land mass and harbouring surprisingly high levels of biological diversity, including
many endemic species and some of the most endangered species in the world.