Hot Desserts

Question 1

Hot desert characteristics

Answer 1

Very Low rainfall

High daytime temperatures(but cold nights)

Soils are either sandy or stony due to limited leaf regeneration

Wide diversity of plants and animals

Question 2

The Thar desert

Answer 2

The most densely populated desert in the world

Located between India and Pakistan

Question 3

Opportunities for development

Answer 3

Mineral extraction(valuable reserves of minerals are used domestically and for export)

Tourism(desert safaris on camels exploit beautiful landscapes for gdp)

Energy (includes coal,oil,solar,and wind)

Farming(grazing of animals in grassy areas,cultivating fruit and veg)

Question 4

Temperatures will..

Answer 4

Make physical work hard(specifically work outside)

High rates of evaporation

Determines plants and animal adaptations

Question 5

Water supply in thar desert

Answer 5

Water is scarce because rainfall is so low because of…
1.evaporation due to high temperatures and strong winds
2.more people means more water is needed

Sources of water are
1.Intermittent rivers and streams
2.Underground aquifers requiring wells though water is often salty

Question 6

What is desertification

Answer 6

When land is gradually turned into desert due to…

-Climate change

-Soil erosion(when vegetation is destroyed it causes cracks in the soil making it vulnerable to erosion)

-Fuelwood(trees stripped of branches die)

-Over cultivation(more people need food turning soil to dust)

Question 7

Holding back desertification

Answer 7

-Water and soil management
-Tree planting:reducing soil erosion by binding roots together
-Ponding banks:low walls enclose areas to store water
-National park status:protects areas at risk regularly