Desert Ecosystems

Chapter B1 Lesson 3

Desert an ecosystem found where there is very little rainfall.

Deserts are dry and hot. There are very few clouds. Two kinds of deserts:
Hot deserts Cold deserts

Hot deserts
Temperatures are very warm all year round The summers are very hot

Cold deserts
Short, warm summers Long, cold winters Found in places near the north and south poles

Desert Plants
Many plants are found in the desert. They usually grow close to the ground. These plants have special parts that help them save water. The special parts are: thick stem, shallow and wide roots, and thick skin covered with spines instead of leaves.

Desert Animals
There are many animals in the desert. They can survive by eating other animals or by eating plants that store water. To protect them from the hot sun, they stay in the shade or in their shelter. Animals may build their shelters inside plants. Some animals sleep during the day and are active at night. Some animals have hard shells to protect them from losing much water. More animals live in hot deserts than in cold deserts.

Anteater

Camel

Roadrunner

Gila monster (lizard)

Scorpion

Deserts in the United States

Great Basin Desert Mojave Desert Chihuahua Desert Sonoran Desert

Great Basin Desert

Idaho
California

Nevada

Utah

Mojave Desert

Utah
California Nevada

Arizona

Chihuahuan Desert

Arizona

New Mexico

Texas

Sonoran Desert

California

Arizona

Review
What is a desert? How do plants survive in the desert? How do animals survive in the desert?

Learn more about deserts

http://www.jlhs.nhusd.k12.ca.us/Classes/Science/Net_Lessons/Biomes /deserts.html#anchor325870 Desert information http://idptv.state.id.us/dialogue4kids/season3/desert/plants.html Desert information http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/desert/tplants.htm Desert plants http://www.brainpop.com/science/ecology/desert/index.weml?&tried_ cookie=true Desert