The Biome of a Temperate Desert

1. The Biome of a Temperate Desert By Lizz S. and Sam S.

2. Climate Characteristics Average Annual Temperature: 20-25 degrees Celsius The temperature range during the year reaches as high as 40 degrees Celsius and as low as -18 degrees Celsius at night Average Annual Precipitation- less than 25 cm per year The main form of precipitation is snow or fog

3. Graph of Precipitation and Average Temperature

4. Other Limiting Factors The soils are coarse and rocky Hard for plants to grow Lie between 20-30 degrees North and South of the Equator High pressure areas Lack of precipitation

5. Types of Plants Prickly Pear and Saguaro Cactus Adaptations: Reduction of leaves, often into spines for protection Development of the stem as a major photosynthetic structure Water storage in the stem Development of defense structures Coating the plant with a thick waxy cuticle A dense coating of hairs (trichomes) Extensive underground root systems

6. Temperate Desert in North Dakota

7. Types of Animals Bactrian Camel and Zebratail Lizard Adaptations: Nocturnal Lifestyle Living in Burrows Slender bodies with long limbs Specialized snouts Waxy body coatings Efficient kidneys Eyes protected from the sun

8. Degree of Biodiversity The degree of biodiversity is high Many different types of plants and animals that thrive there.

9. Biomass Pyramid

10. Temperate Desert Distribution

11. Reference Page Ingles, Dr. Lloyd Glen. "The Desert Biome." The World's Biomes. 1999. UCMP. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.php. "Temperate Desert Biome." Biomes. 4 July 2008. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/biologypages/b/biomes.html.  "Climate." The Desert Biomes. Marietta College. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm. Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions. California: Wadsworth Group.