Hot Deserts Flashcards
(28 cards)
How much rainfall is there per year in a desert?
Less than 25cm
What is the average daytime temperature of a desert?
38 degrees Celsius
Where do humans in deserts usually get water from?
Underground wells
What are dormant seeds?
Seeds that are dormant for months or years and then ‘germinate’ when there is rainfall in the desert
What are succulent plants?
Plants that store water
Where do camels store water?
In their bloodstream
What is the biggest difference between a jackrabbit and a normal rabbit?
Jackrabbits have large ears
Why is it advantageous for desert animals like camels to have large, flat feet?
To avoid sinking in the sand
How big is the Sahara desert?
9.2 million km squared
Which country is the biggest exporter of phosphate in the world?
Morocco
What does Niger’s part of the Sahara desert contain lots of?
Uranium
What % of Algeria’s GDP comes from oil?
0.2
What are the causes of desertification?
Removal of fuel wood, over-cultivation, soil erosion, overgrazing, population growth and climate change
What type of irrigation uses less water and therefore reduces soil erosion?
Drip irrigation
How can desertification be reduced?
Soil management, water management, tree planting, technology
What is an example of a cheap way of stopping sand entering plant crops?
Fences
What is desertification?
When land degrades to become more like a desert
What can be used to add extra nutrients to the soil and therefore reduce desertification?
Compost
How deep can a velvet mesquite’s roots go?
Up to 10 metres
Finish the sentence: Dust storms in the Sahara can reach speeds of up to _________ mph
50
What % has the population of Egypt increased by in the last 25 years?
3
By 2030, what % of Algeria’s energy is expected to come from renewable sources?
0.4
In the past 100 years, how far has the Sahara desert expanded Southwards?
Over 250km
What % of the world’s population have had to cope with the threat of desertification?
0.2
