hot deserts geography

• What is the soil like in a desert?

  Sandy

  Stony

  Dry

  Infertile
• How much rainfall do deserts receive in a year?

  Less than 250mm per year
• What is the diurnal temperature range in the That desert?

  53ºc
• How large is the Thar desert?

  200,000km2
• Where are hot deserts located?

  30º North or south of the equator
• Why are hot deserts hot and dry?

  Hot, moist air rises and dries out as it travels to 30º N/S of equator, and cools on its' descent
• Why is there a high diurnal temperature range in hot deserts?

  No cloud cover to intercept sun rays and retain heat
• How many people live in hot deserts globally?

  1.2 billion
• What is the most populated desert and how many people live there?

  Thar desert, 83 people/km2
• How are Bactrian camels adapted to hot desert conditions?

  Light coat to reflect sunlight

  Large padded feet for stability in sandy terrain

  Tough mouth for eating thorny plants
• How are saguaro cacti adapted to hot desert conditions?

  Waxy coating to maximise water retention

  Small leaves to reduce SA to minimise transpiration

  Spikes to prevent animals from stealing stored water
• How is the Jerboa mouse adapted to hot desert conditions?

  Large ears to stay cool

  Nocturnal to avoid the heat of the day

  Sand coloured for camouflage
• How is water available in the Thar desert?

  Through the Indira Ghandi canal
• How much of India's salt production does the Thar desert account for?

  9%
• What is mined in the Thar desert

  Coal, salt, gypsum
• How is sustainable energy utilised in the Thar desert?

  West India Wind Power Project produces 375,000 MWh energy /year
• What is farmed in the Thar desert and sold globally?

  Cotton and wheat
• How many tourists visit the Thar desert a year?

  10,000 (2013)
• Where is the Thar desert located?

  Northwest India, bordering Pakistan
• How many people does desertification affect globally?

  1 billion
• What % of people affected by desertification live in the world's poorest countries?

  90%
• What is desertification?

  When fertile land becomes dry and degraded as a result of climate change or human activity
• How is climate change a cause of desertification?

  Cyclical drought, less rain and rising temperatures
• How is population growth a cause of desertification?

  More resources are needed to support the population
• How is removal of wood a cause of desertification?

  Leads to soil erosion
• How is overgrazing a cause of desertification?

  Destroys the surface of the ground, leading to increased exposure to wind and water erosion
• How is soil erosion a cause of desertification?

  Means that soil is poor at retaining water and growing crops
• An example of appropriate technology to reduce desertification

  Planting gum trees in Senegal
• How does planting gum trees help to reduce desertification?

  Binds soil

  Restores the nutrient cycle

  Shades crops
• How much rainfall does the Thar desert recieve in a year?

  120-240mm per year