Desert and Desert-Scrub Biomes Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Desert and Desert-Scrub Biomes Deck (31)
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1
Q

How much of the Earth do deserts cover

A

1/5 of Earth’s surface

2
Q

What causes deserts

A

extremely low rainfall

3
Q

Temperature ranges in deserts

A

100+ degrees F and cool to the 40’s at night

4
Q

Are most animals in deserts nocturnal or diurnal

A

nocturnal

5
Q

What properties have plants in desert regions evolved

A

water-retaining properties

6
Q

Where do arid deserts occur

A

N. America, S. America, Africa, and S. Asia

7
Q

What is the climate in arid deserts like

A

hot and dry

8
Q

Where do semi-arid deserts occur

A

N. America, Europe, Russia, and N. Asia

9
Q

What is the climate like in semi-arid desserts

A

less dry and have more defined seasons

10
Q

Temperature ranges in coastal deserts

A

moderately warm to cool temperatures

11
Q

Seasons in costal deserts

A

short, cool winters and long, warm, summers

12
Q

Precipitation in cold deserts

A

a moderate amount of snow and rain during summer

13
Q

What is the soil like in cold deserts

A

heavy soil

14
Q

What is the soil like in coastal deserts

A

sandy, porous soil

15
Q

Most animals in cold deserts are………

A

burrowers

16
Q

What is the ecoregion of the desert biome

A

desert scrub

17
Q

What is the prominent plant life of deserts

A

shrubs

18
Q

Shrubs can be either ……….. or ………….

A

evergreen; deciduous

19
Q

Shrubs in the deserts have an extensive ……… and open network of ……….

A

root system; plants

20
Q

Which desert is known as the greatest desert

A

Sahara Desert

21
Q

The Sahara Desert is as big as the ……….

A

Unites States

22
Q

Sand dunes in the Sahara Desert can reach as high as …….

A

600 feet

23
Q

What adaptations to the desert do organisms have

A

temperature regulation
metabolism
water loss

24
Q

How do organisms regulate their temperature

A

some have long ears with many blood vessels
fat storage in one area of the body
burrowing

25
Q

How do organisms regulate their metabolism

A

hibernating

26
Q

How do organisms regulate water loss

A

no sweat glands

salt glands

27
Q

What special adaptations do major flora of the desert have

A

waxy coating to minimize transpiration

extensive root system

28
Q

What are examples of flora in the desert

A

Barrel Cactus, Creosote, Saguaro

29
Q

Vinegaroon

A

whip scorpion
mimics actual scorpion
arachnid

30
Q

Where can the Vinegaroon be found

A

Southern US and Mexico

31
Q

What does the Vinegaroon do when provoked

A

gives off a vinegar smelling odor