THAR DESERT ECOSYSTEM

FLORA

Despite the difficult terrain, the desert does bloom, and a wide variety of hardy plants
comprise a vegetative zone called the North-western Thorn Scrub Forest consisting of
perennial and annual grasses, shrubs and small trees. At various times of the year,
particularly the short rainy season, the brown and green landscape is enlivened as the
various plant species come into flower and fruit.

The natural vegetation of this dry area is classed as Northwestern thorn scrub
forest occurring in small clumps scattered openly. Density and size of patches increase from
west to east following the increase in rainfall.
 FAUNA

• PRIMARY CONSUMERS- Blackbuck, Antelope, Peafowl, Deers, Rabbits

• SECONDARY CONSUMERS- Eagles, rodents and lizards

• TERTIARY CONSUMERS - Leopard, the Asiatic wild cat, Bengal desert fox

• DECOMPOSERS - Vultures
 ADAPTATIONS

• Some plants have evolved special root systems, while other have unique leaf
characteristics that allow them to withstand prolonged periods of drought. Many woody
species simply lose their leaves when soil moisture conditions become too dry.

• They have evolved excellent survival strategies, their size is smaller

than other similar animals living in different conditions, and they are
mainly nocturnal. Due to the lack of water in this region,
transformation of the grasslands into cropland has been very slow.
 CLIMATE

• The average annual rainfall of the region varies from 100 to 500 mm, it is distributed very
erratically, occurring mostly between July and September. The mean average
temperature varies from a minimum of 24 degrees C to 26 degrees C in summer to 4
degrees C to 10 degrees C in winter.
• During other seasons the prevailing wind is the dry northeast monsoon. May and June are
the hottest months of the year, with temperatures rising to 122 °F (50 °C). During January,
the coldest month, the mean minimum temperature ranges between 41 and 50 °F (5 and
10 °C), and frost is frequent.
• Dust storms and dust-raising winds, often blowing with velocities of 87 to 93 miles (140 to
150 km) per hour, are common in May and June.
 PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

• The Thar Desert extends between the Aravalli Hills in the north-east, the Great Rann of Kutch along the
coast and the alluvial plains of the Indus River in the west and north-west. Most of the desert is covered
by huge shifting sand dunes that receive sediments from the alluvial plains and the coast. The sand is
highly mobile due to strong winds occurring before the onset of the monsoon. The Luni River is the only
river integrated into the desert. Salt water lakes receive rain water during monsoon and evaporate during
the dry season. The salt is derived by the weathering of rocks in the region.

• The soils consist of several main groups—desert soils, red desertic soils, sierozems (brownish gray soils),
the red and yellow soils of the foothills, the saline soils of the depressions, and the lithosols (shallow
weathered soils) and regosols (soft loose soils) found in the hills. All those soils are predominantly coarse-
textured, well-drained, and calcareous. A thick accumulation of lime often occurs at varying depths.
 TIPPING POINTS
• critically endangered great Indian bustard -less than 500 pairs at the
last count in 2016.
• critically endangered red-headed vulture
• Of the 68 species, 29 species are listed in the Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act, requiring varying degrees of protection.
• In addition, the gradual lessening of grassland/forest cover has added
another dimension to the struggle for survival.
• The soils are generally infertile and, because of severe
wind erosion, are overblown with sand.