Hot Desert Characteristics & Interdependence Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

What is the annual rainfall of a hot desert?

Less than 250 mm per year.

Why are hot deserts cool at night despite daytime temperatures of up to 50 °C?

There is little cloud cover, so heat is lost rapidly at night.

Describe two characteristics of hot desert soils.

Dry and loose in structure, largely sand/rock/stone with limited organic matter so infertile.

How does water availability link plants, animals and people in a hot desert?

Water sources such as oases and wells support plants, which feed animals, and people settle and graze livestock near them.

Why are hot desert soils often salty?

High evaporation draws water up through the soil, and when it evaporates it leaves salts behind at the surface.