Deserts

Question 1

What is mineral extraction?

Answer 1

The removal of solid mineral resources from the earth

Question 2

What is desertification?

Answer 2

The process by which land becomes drier and degraded, as a result of climate change or human activities or borth

Question 3

What is over cultivation?

Answer 3

Exhausting the soil by over cropping the land

Question 4

What is soil erosion?

Answer 4

Removal of the top soil faster than it can be replaced

Question 5

What is aridity?

Answer 5

The state or quality of being extremely dry

Question 6

What is diurnal temperature range?

Answer 6

The difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures within one day

Question 7

What is irrigation?

Answer 7

Artificial process of applying controlled amounts of water to land

Question 8

What is carrying capacity?

Answer 8

The maximum number of people an area of land can support before environmental damage occurs

Question 9

What is water security?

Answer 9

The reliable availability of acceptable quantities and quality for people to live off

Question 10

What is a desert fringe area?

Answer 10

Borders of hot deserts that support greater biodiversity - despite higher rainfall they are still classified as fragile environments at constant risk of desertification

Question 11

What is a desert?

Answer 11

An area receiving less than 250mm of rainfall a year resulting in extreme aridity

Question 12

Where are deserts found?

Answer 12

Between 15 and 35 degrees north and south of the equator

Question 13

What pressure are deserts in?

Answer 13

High - where air is falling
This is due to warm air rising, then dumping its moistures on the equator, so by the time it reaches deserts it is dry and cool

Question 14

Why can temperatures fluctuate so much in deserts?

Answer 14

Due to the lack of cloud cover

Question 15

What is soil like in the desert?

Answer 15

Dry
Not very fertile

Question 16

How much of the earth is deserts?

Answer 16

1/3

Question 17

What are challenges in the desert?

Answer 17

Dry conditions
High temperatures
Short periods of rainfall

Question 18

What can rainfall in a desert lead to?

Answer 18

Desert bloom - higher biodiversity

Question 19

How are camels adapted to deserts?

Answer 19

Can go a week or more without water + months without food
Store fat in the hump for energy
Body temperature fluctuates throughout the day
Feet a wide
Thick lips
Ears are covered

Question 20

What opportunities are in deserts?

Answer 20

Tourism
Golf
Farming
Mineral extraction
Energy generation

Question 21

What sates does the western desert cover?

Answer 21

Nevada
Utah
New Mexico
California

Question 22

What tourism opportunities are there in the western desert?

Answer 22

Grand Canyon
Joshua tree national park
Native Americans
Las Vegas
Lake mead + Powell

Question 23

What farming is there in the western desert?

Answer 23

Coachella valley in CA produces lush vegetables using aquaifiers

Question 24

What mineral extraction is there in the western desert?

Answer 24

Uranium mining near Grand Canyon
Copper mining in Ajo, AZ

Question 25

What are the challenges of developing in desert areas?

Answer 25

Climate change Climate Water supply Transport + accessibility

Question 26

Why is climate change an issue in the western desert?

Answer 26

2014 lake mead reached a record low Projected to warm faster than the rest of the world By 2100 the annual temp is expected to be 5 degrees higher than 1970 Would lead to more water scarcity

Question 27

Why is climate an issue in the western desert?

Answer 27

Working outside is very hard High temperatures lead to evaporation - increased water shortages Plants and animals have to adapt to survive

Question 28

Why is water supply an issue in the western desert?

Answer 28

30 million people depend on water from the Colorado river Physical limit to how much water can be taken Political issues - must allow water into Mexico Can lead to conflict between states/countries

Question 29

Why is transport and accessibility an issue in the western desert?

Answer 29

Lack of surfaced roads Route 70 -> Utah Route 66 Chicago through Cal Development can be difficult 2015 tourist died after car broke down

Question 30

Why is vegetation vital for the protection of soil in desert?

Answer 30

Gives shade - prevents it from drying out quickly Roots give structure - provide integrity to prevent erosion Intercepts rainfall - prevents nutrients being leeched away

Question 31

Where is the Sahel?

Answer 31

Region stretched across central Africa (south of the Sahara)

Question 32

Why is population growing in desert fringe areas?

Answer 32

Birth rate increasing Migration from people seeking refuge from drought and war

Question 33

How can desertification be caused?

Answer 33

Over cultivation Overgrazing Soil erosion Deforestation Population growth

Question 34

What are the strategies to reduce the risk of desertification?

Answer 34

Water and soil management Tree planting Use of appropriate technology

Question 35

How does water and soil management help decrease the risk of desertification?

Answer 35

Bund line of rocks interrupts the flow of water Any soil carried is deposited at the walls So this can be cultivated

Question 36

How can tree planting reduce the risks of desertification?

Answer 36

Protects the soil from rain and provided shade Great Green Wall - planting trees from southern edge of the Sahara

Question 37

How can appropriate technology prevent desertification?

Answer 37

Alternative cooking derives use less wood - so deforestation decreases