Desert: Definition

In geographical studies, deserts are defined as regions wherein the

average annual precipitation seldom exceeds more than 10 inches per
year, and the amount of water lost to evapotranspiration is much more
than the amount of water gained by precipitation. Like hot deserts,
such as the Sahara and Mojave, there are cold deserts as well, the
best example being Antarctica. One of the prominent difference
between the two is the form of precipitation, which is snowfall in cold
deserts and rainfall in hot deserts. Irrespective of whether it is a hot or
a cold desert, the characteristic traits of both almost remain the same.
It may comes as a surprise, but the areas which we refer to as hot
deserts have a chilling temperature at night.

Desert Ecosystem
Though a desert may seem like a barren land devoid of lifeforms, life
does exist in this harsh environment. Numerous plants and animal
species have adapted to these seemingly unsuitable conditions. In the
desert ecosystem, climate is a deciding factor for the existence of
lifeforms. In deserts, temperatures can reach up to 115° F during the
day, and come down to 32° F at night. Such extreme temperature
makes it difficult for lifeforms to survive in the deserts, unless they
adapt to this harsh climate. Surprisingly though, many plants and
animals have adapted themselves over the years, and have become
an important part of the desert ecosystem today.

Desert Ecosystem: Animals

Not many of us are aware of the fact that deserts are home to a
number of species of kingdom Animalia. Biodiversity of the deserts is
as unique as other biomes of the world. You might not see these
animals as you see zebras and wildebeests in Africa, but they do exist
and each of these species play a crucial role in the desert ecosystem
food chain. Like in most of the other ecosystems, plants are the
primary producers, while rodents, insects and reptiles which feed on
these plants are the primary consumers. Then come the secondary
consumers, who mainly comprise larger reptiles and insects which
feed on primary consumers. At the top of the desert food chain are the
apex predators in the form of birds and mammals. Most prominent
members of the desert animals list include the Gila monster,
chuckawallas, desert tortoise, rattlesnakes, hawks, ostriches, bobcat,
kangaroo rats, mountain lions, etc. Most of these desert animals are
nocturnal, i.e. active during the night, and spend the entire day
burrowing. This adaptation helps them to fight the soaring
temperatures that persist during the day. Water being scarce in
deserts, these animals have also modified themselves to make the
most of the available water. Some animals absorb water from plants,
while others store it in their fatty tissues. Read more on adaptations in
desert animals.

Desert Ecosystem: Plants

When we talk about desert vegetation, most of us only think about
cactus. However, we fail to understand that within cactus, there are
different types which grow in different deserts of the world. These
plants have have modified themselves to sustain in the desert
environment. Some plants store water in the specialized tissues, while
others have small leaves with hair like structures which reduce the
evaporation of moisture. In North American deserts, barrel cactus is
the most abundantly found cacti species, while other species include
crimson hedgehog cactus, pancake prickly pear cactus, saguaro
cactus, etc. Other cactus plants such as brittle bush, saltbush,
creosote bush, desert ironwood, gravillias, Joshua tree, Mojave aster,
Soaptree yucca, hanging chain cholla, etc., are also quite common in
deserts. Read more on desert plant life.
desert ecosystem may seem devoid of life but
even the most arid sand dune has a desert
ecosystem unique to its location and climate.
Even the sparsest dune has some form of life
existing in its hostile environment.

A desert ecosystem must exist where there is

little rainfall and the climate is extreme in
harshness. With little precipitation a desert
ecosystem will at first impression appear to be
lifeless and barren. In reality this is rarely the
case. The desert ecosystem supports life forms as
varied as any ecosystem on earth.
In the sand desert ecosystem few large mammals
might appear to subsist but the camel is one that
we envisage as surviving this environment. Small
rodents, rabbits, rats, moles and fox like
creatures can be found in the desert ecosystem.
Snakes, insects, burrowing creatures, ants, birds,
beetles and lizards are regular inhabitants of the
desert ecosystem.
Plant life in the desert ecosystem is often dwarfed
because of the lack of rain. The most common
plant featured as part of the desert ecosystem is
the cactus. Even this plant species can be seen in
hundreds of different types, each one evolved to
suit the particular desert ecosystem to which they
are endemic. Other plants, such as saltbush and
gravillias grow well in a desert ecosystem. Plants
have evolved to have succulent bodies that retain
the precious moisture needed for growth. Others
have narrow needle like leaves that do not lose
moisture. Still others spread across the ground,
or grow in the shade of larger plants.
Animals and small arachnids, lizards and other
creatures have managed in the harsh climate, hot
days, freezing nights, by controlling their body
heat. It is vital for any desert ecosystem denizen
to adjust to the particular aspects of their
environment. The desert ecosystem is a fragile
balance of these species that are able to survive
in extremes of temperature and moisture.
Any desert ecosystem will have hidden hosts of
wild life, many insects, small lizards, spiders,
birds or burrowing creatures. They may not be
visible to the untrained eye, but their presence is
essential to keeping the desert ecosystem
functioning. Any integral part of the balance goes
missing and other life forms, plant or animal may
find survival impossible.
Human activity can damage the fragile balance of
the desert ecosystem. It is vital to know and
understand the numbers and the idiosyncrasies of
the life forms involved in the food chain of the
desert ecosystem before any human activity can
intrude on the environment.
One of the harshest environments on the planet,
the desert ecosystem offers many strange and
unusual adaptations between plant and animal to
ensure their survival