Western Desert Flashcards
(14 cards)
What states does the western Desert run through?
New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada
What are the 4 main opportunities in the Desert?
Tourism, energy production, Farming, mineral extraction
Why is farming an opportunity in the desert?
High temps and sunlight are good for agriculture and irrigation can be used to provide water
Why is Mineral extraction an opportunity in the Desert?
The Western desert is rich in minerals such as lead. It has taken place for centuries. open cast mining is large
Why is Energy production an opportunity in the Desert?
-Lots of solar power opportunities- can provide energy for 100,000 homes and needs 360 workers- HEP from Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam
-Fossil fuels- drilling for oil in Arizona since 1905- 25 active oil sites owned by Navajo people
Why is tourism an opportunity in the Wesert Desert?
Many people visit national parks such as Joshua Tree and the Grand Canyon- Lake mead and powell bring watersports opportunities
What are the issues with tourism in the Desert?
Building and constructing can damage the environment and puts a strain on water sources- access is hard, pollution
What are the issues with farming in the desert?
Expensive, lots of water needed which would put a strain on already limited supply
What are the issues with Mineral extraction and energy in the Desert?
Environmental concern- harms species and habitats, risks to tourists and contaminates water sources
What are the main 4 challenges faced by the Desert?
climate, Climate change, water supply, accessibility and transport
How is climate change a challenge is the Desert?
-Temperatures are forecasted to rise
-Water security is already threatened- reduced rainfall will increase water scarcity
-projected to warm faster than any other place in the world e.g already risen by 5C since 1970
How is climate an issues faced by the Western desert?
Extreme temps can cause dehydration
-average temps of 27C and can reach up to 50C
-Diernal temp range
-high rates of evaporation and work outside for farmers is very difficult
How is water supply a challenge faced by the Desert?
-water demand is increasing in cities such as Phoenix
-major water shortages- so tourism and farming can’t be used
-very expensive to make water project such as the Arizona Central scheme is due to cost $4 billion
-Harms ecosystems as silt and sands get trapped behind the dam making the water leaving it colder
-plants and animals live on the sandbanks are declining as starved of sediment
-30 million people demand for water in Colorado- pop increase
-climate change=more water scarcity
How is Transport and accessibility and issue faced by the Desert?
-limited in these areas
-easy to get lost
-due to low pop= lack of roads
-old roads built in 1900s- bad condition
-Las vegas attracts 30 million people a year- needs roads
-due to hot climate, people can die of dehydration if get stranded
