section b - the living world

• what are the characteristics of hot desert?

  • Very low rainfall
  • Extreme temperature range
  • Soils tend to be sandy or stony
• what are some Opportunities for development in hot deserts


  • Mineral extraction - e.g. limestone and marble
  • Tourism – desert safaris on camels exploit the landscapes
  • Energy – includes coal, oil, solar and wind
  • Farming – grazing of animals in grassy areas, or commercial farming of wheat
• reasons why Extreme temperatures in hot desertsare a challenge in hot deserts

  • Makes physical work hard such as for farmers
  • Causes high rates of evaporation leading to water shortages
• Water supply challenge in hot deserts

  • Annual rainfall is low
  • High temperatures and strong winds cause high evaporation
• what is Desertification

  Where land is gradually turned into desert
• Causes of desertification


  • Climate change
  • Soil erosion
  • Over-cultivation
• how is Climate change a consequence of desertification?

  1. Results in drier conditions

  2. Results in less reliable rainfall in some regions
• Soil erosion


  Where vegetation is destroyed, exposing soil making it vulnerable to erosion
• how is Over-cultivation consequence of desertification?

  More people need food which exhausts the soil turning it into dust
• What are the three main natural causes of climate change ?

  • orbital changes , solar activity , volcanic activity