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Arid, but full of life The Desert

Arid, but full of life The Desert. Tim Franzen Will Sebolt Dominick Dunlap Jimmy K ontra. Environmental Issues. Global warming is increasing the drought level, which dries up water holes.

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Arid, but full of life The Desert

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  1. Arid, but full of lifeThe Desert Tim Franzen Will Sebolt Dominick Dunlap Jimmy Kontra

  2. Environmental Issues • Global warming is increasing the drought level, which dries up water holes. • The increase in temperature produces an increasing number of wildfires that alter landscapes. These fires burn down most of plant life, resulting in a barren landscape. • Irrigation used for agriculture, results in an increase of the salt level in the ground that becomes too high to support plants.

  3. Environment issues continued • Wild animals that graze can destroy many desert plants and animals, making most near extinction. • Potassium cyanide used during gold mining may poison wildlife. • If off-road vehicles are used irresponsibly, they can cause irreparable damage to desert habitats. • The production of oil and gas may disrupt sensitive habitats. • Nuclear waste has been dumped in many deserts which have also been used as nuclear testing grounds.

  4. Locations on the Map

  5. Climate • The average desert gets about 10 inches of rain per year • It is the hottest biome on Earth • Deserts can reach a temperature of 100˚ F during the day and 32˚ F at night.

  6. Plants (Saguaro Cactus) • Cactuses have long roots to reach water deep under the ground • A fully-grown Saguaro cactus can absorb up to 3,000 liters of water in ten days • In the desert, water is obviously hard tocome by,so the cactus uses its thorns as a defense mechanism to keep animals from getting inside it and drinking its water

  7. Plants (Aloe Plant) • The waxy surface of the aloe plant acts like a plastic wrapper, keeping water inside • For centuries, the juice of the aloe plant has been used by Native Americans as a medicine • Today, doctors use these plants to treat burns

  8. Plants (Joshua Tree) • It has Evergreen leavesthat can be anywhere from 15-35 cm long • It has long, sensitive roots that reach up to 11 meters underground • They can live for hundreds of years • They can grow up to 15 meters tall • The Joshua tree lives in the desert because it can survive droughts

  9. Animals (Camel) • The camel has twosets of eyelashes to protect its eyes from dust and sand • Camels can go without water for weeks • The camel’s widely spread feet help prevent sinking in the sand

  10. Animals (Diamondback Rattlesnake) • Diamondback Rattlesnakes are extremely poisonous • They can grow to be 1.5- 2 meters long • Most are nocturnal during the summer • They come out when the temperature is 70˚-90˚

  11. Animals (Armadillo Lizard) • The body length of the Armadillo Lizard can be from 15 to 17 inches, the tailcan be from 14 to 16 inches long and it weighs anywhere from 8 to 17 pounds • Even though it's small, predators fail to harm an armadillo lizard because of the armor on its back • It is able to move easily because ofits flattened head, body and club-like tail

  12. Bibliography • Pictures - Google Images • http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/ • http://davesgarden.com/ • http://www.mbgnet.net • http://www.wikipedia.org/ • http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org • http://www.buzzle.com

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