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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Term Paper on Deserts

Term Paper on Deserts

Throughout the vast Canadian region there are not many regions or territories where you will find a desert biome. The arid regions, Thompson River Valley in beautiful British Columbia and the east Alberta badlands. Also the high arctic deserts which are extremely cold and dried. Deserts are usually located in areas near the equator. However, they are also most likely found in areas which receive less than 25 cm of precipitation per year. As well as regions where they receive more rainfall but less occasionally throughout the year.
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The desert's climate is very hot and dry. Not many plants and animals can survive, but the ones that do are adapted to the torturous climate and at night it cools down to very cold temperatures. Most are just barren lands with sand that stretches for miles. The deserts in North America(Canada) tend to receive long droughts that occur in the "rain shadow." This "Rain shadow" arrives as a cloudburst or thunderstorm continually. The warm arid deserts usually cannot absorb any kind of precipitation or moisture because of the sun-baked surface; therefore much of the moisture that does touch the sun-baked surface of the desert drains away as runoff. The warm deserts, such as those near the Badlands in Alberta, hardly get any precipitation because the rain drops falling from a cloud often will evaporate before a single drop even reaches the ground. There isn't much living organisms found in the Arctic deserts, due to the harsh cool climate. However, they do receive much precipitation throughout the year, precipitation being snow.

The warm arid deserts are found in Alberta, toward the badlands and in the eastern part of British Columbia. All the cooler deserts are found up north in the arctic regions. Up in the arctic temperatures can reach all the way up to -50 C, without windchills, and the warm deserts can reach all the way up to 57 C in the summer and at night it goes down to 10 C. Most deserts tend to receive 90% of our incoming solar energy because most deserts tend to be located close to the equator.

In the desert, steadily winds erode rock into tiny particles and dust storms that scour the land surface helps in the soil form. Desert soil is dominated by more rock particles. Because of the harsh warm climate in most deserts the plants cannot provide the soil with much organic matter and therefore soil organisms, such as earthworms cannot endure the sand. Therefore, the soil found in the desert isn't one of good quality. Also , those burrowing rodents and organisms which helped loosen the soil have been exterminated through pest control programs; therefore the water from rainfall cannot soak in easily anymore.

Most deserts don't receive much water throughout the year. The arctic deserts receive a lot of snowfall. However, those arid deserts usually receive around 25 cm of rainfall per year, if that. Most North American deserts though receive long droughts and thunderstorms, however then don't receive as much throughout the year then. However, as mentioned previously most rainfall is evaporated before even reaching the ground.

Animals in the desert must survive in a harsh environment. Intense heat, searing sun, and lack of water are some challenges desert animals are faced with. There are a good amount of species found within the desert biomes. Most species are nocturnal and go out at night when it is cooler, because the days tend to get too warm. One animal found in the desert is the scorpion. They have enlarged claws used for capturing their prey. Another animal that is found in the warm deserts are lizards and snakes. They tend to dive into the sand, as if it were water, to cool off. Snakes and lizards adapt well into this Biome because they do not have sweat glands in their skin, therefore they cannot lose water through their sweating as many mammals do. Lizards also lift their legs to lift their tails and bodies off the hot ground when walking on the sand. One of the other common desert animals is the jackrabbit. The jackrabbit has the adaptation of large ears that radiate heat so it doesn't get too hot. It also has strong hind legs that will help it jump away from its predators. They usually eat small desert plants or whatever they can find on the desert floor.

Human Activity within the desert has tarnished many organisms. First of all, the soil has been tilled and crops have been replaced by native plants. Also, the many animals and species have been exterminated because of the damage of crops and many habitats have also been destroyed by man. However many national state parks now offer a protection from "civilization." This is to protect the species, habitats and to preserve some of the original beauty and richness that only deserts can offer.

The desert Biome is one Biome which is extraordinarily special and unique in it's own vast way. The tranquility and diversity that it shares with all other biomes truly illuminates the contrast and grace it has breathing within it.

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Warning!!! All free sample term papers and college term paper examples on Deserts topics are plagiarized and cannot be fully used in your high school, college or university education.

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