HOT DESERTS - PAPER 1 Flashcards
What are the characteristics of hot deserts?
Located in subtropics: 20-30 degrees each way of the equator
Less than 250mm of rain annually, and conditions are very dry/arid
Temperatures rise above 40 degrees
Landscape tends to be rocky, desolate places
How have plants adapted to hot desert environments?
Thick, waxy leaves - reducing water loss by transpiration
Many plants (cacti) have needles rather than leaves, to reduce transpiration water loss
Succulents - plants that can store water in their roots, leaves or stems (cacti)
Large root networks - tapping into water below the surface, roots growing up to 10m
Rapid life cycles - germinating, flowering and setting seed in a few days
How do animals adapt to hot deserts?
Rodents are nocturnal - hunting during cool nights
Large eyes - helping to see in low light
Living in burrows (kangaroo rats) - staying cool during the daytime
Large ears (jerboa) - better heat loss from the animal
No perspiration (kangaroo rats) - keeping as much water in the body as possible
Efficient kidneys (kangaroo rats) - very little urine produced, little water loss
How does a camel adapt to the desert environment?
It has a long large intestine - absorbing all the water from food eaten
Wide feet - walking well on soft sand
Long, muscular legs - walking for long periods
Large hump - storing fat for energy
Long eyelashes - protecting the eyes from sand
Thin nostrils - protecting the nose from sand
What is an example of a hot desert?
Thar Desert in India, 200,000km^2 - most densely populated desert worldwide
What are the issues for development in a hot desert area (Thar)?
Temperatures - because of no cloud cover, temperatures can go from 40 degrees to below 0
Rainfall - less than 100mm of rainfall in a year, difficult to supply water for industry/irrigation
Inaccessibility - the temperature can cause tarmac on roads to melt, and blowing sand can cover roads also
What are opportunities for development in hto desert areas (Thar)(Mining and Energy)?
Mining - many materials are in India and sent worldwide, that are only found in the desert:
Phosphorite - fertiliser
Gypsum - cement + plaster; construction
Kaolin - white clay; making paper
Energy - both renewable and non-renewable forms of energy are found:
Oil - large oilfield found in Barmer
Coal - Many lignite coal deposits found in Giral
Wind - Jaisalmer Wind Park; 3rd largest wind farm in India
Solar - Many hours of sunshine; used in water treatment at Bhaleri
What are opportunities for development in hot desert area (Thar)(Farming and Tourism)?
Farming - subsistence farming; animal grazing, crop growing and fruit foraging
Irrigation from Ghandi Canal; allowing wheat, maize and cotton growing
Tourism - especially from Pakistan; many companies offer desert safaris and visits to Jaisalmer
Ecotourism also popular, taking camel treks to visit wilderness areas
How does development improve the country?
Increased employment means larger workforce and better economy for the country
Also, improved infrastructure as there is more money going into the local economies
