Gourt > Science > Biology > Ecology > Ecosystems > Deserts (4)
In geography, a desert is a landscape form or region that receives little precipitation. Generally deserts are defined as areas that receive an average annual precipitation of less than 250 mm (10 inches).
Deserts have a reputation for supporting very little life. Compared to wetter regions this may be true, although deserts often have high biodiversity, including animals that remain hidden (especially during the daylight) to preserve moisture. About one-fifth of Earth's land surface is desert.
Desert landscapes have certain features. Deserts are often composed of sand and rocky surfaces. Sand dunes called ergs and stony surfaces called Reg or hamada surfaces compose a minority of desert surfaces. Exposures of rocky terrain are typical, and reflect minimal soil development and sparseness of vegetation. Bottom lands may be salt-covered flats. Eolian (wind-driven) processes are major factors in shaping desert landscapes. Cold deserts have similar features but the main form of precipation is snow rather than rain. The largest cold desert is Antarctica (composed of about 98 percent thick continental ice sheet and 2 percent barren rock). The largest hot desert is the Sahara.
More on [ Desert ]
Deserts :: Regions
Deserts :: Southwest
Deserts :: Ecosystems and Habitats
Love having Greek inlaws: food food food then Serano Bakery deserts! Yum.
trickymoreira (Tricky Moreira) Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:39:57 -0000
Love having Greek inlaws: food food food then Serano Bakery deserts! Yum.
not sure if I can eat anymore. but those deserts sure do look good
Ricky_Rice (Ricky_Rice) Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:37:05 -0000
not sure if I can eat anymore. but those deserts sure do look good
Aiit time 4 deserts...banana puddin and chocolate cake
KeviKev1224 (Kevin Holmes) Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:33:22 -0000
Aiit time 4 deserts...banana puddin and chocolate cake
i am mighty bored, oh yes i am. i shall write a song because i am sam.. we walk the deserts in our pants,, only to find the dorsets' lament.
pavinp (Pavin Parmar) Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:33:10 -0000
i am mighty bored, oh yes i am. i shall write a song because i am sam.. we walk the deserts in our pants,, only to find the dorsets' lament.
Wowsserzz just had Xmas dinner Smoked Turkey Homeade dips and Deserts and more Deserts! :)
PozMovement (Benjamin Herman) Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:24:56 -0000
Wowsserzz just had Xmas dinner Smoked Turkey Homeade dips and Deserts and more Deserts! :)
having fun with the fam...making deserts and snacks. Happy Christmas everyone!
DesariElise (Desi Osborn) Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:24:36 -0000
having fun with the fam...making deserts and snacks. Happy Christmas everyone!
Atacama Desert - Provides information on the archeology, history, topography, and climate of this Chilean region.
Biological Soil Crusts - Biological soil crusts are commonly found in semiarid and arid environments throughout the world and are formed by living organisms and their by-products, creating a crust of soil particles bound together by organic materials.
Center for Biological Diversity: Deserts - General information about North American desert ecosystems, profiles of endangered species found in these areas, and status reports on efforts to protect habitats.
Chihuahuan Desert Home Page - Information about the landscape, animals, plants, and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States and Mexico.
Meta Description: [ The Chihuahuan Desert home page: Gateway for data about the landscape, animals, plants, and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States and México. ]
Desert Biome - Information on deserts: what they are, where they are located, and the plants and animals which live in them.
Meta Description: [ Answer the question: What's It Like Where You Live? Learn about terrestrial biomes and aquatic ecosystems. Follow link to site about plants. ]
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Desert Ecology - A detailed look at desert ecology with emphasis on the Mojave National Preserve.
Meta Description: [ What is a desert? Learn what it takes to be a desert. ]
DesertUSA 2000 - A monthly Internet-based magazine published by Digital West Media, Inc. Our purpose is to provide a tool for discovery; a publication which entertains, educates and explores with our readers, the beauty, life and culture of the North American deserts.
EcoQuest:Desert_Edition - an interactive mission about the desert environment and its inhabitants.
Mojave Desert Wildlife - Information on wildlife in the Mojave desert. Includes photos and food chains.
Meta Description: [ Wildlife in the Mojave Desert ]
Mongolian Great Gobi - Description and photographs of the Gobi Desert and a number of essays on Mongolian life and culture.
Meta Description: [ Luxury Travel and Vacation Information ]
Namibia's Mobile Sculptures - Information on how the sand moldes sculptures into the Namib Desert.
Meta Description: [ Namibia's winds mold the mobile sand dunes into distinctive shapes. ]
Newman Information Center for Desert Research - Learn about the desert, arid regions, destification and about sustainable development.
On the Line - Deserts - An educational project by Oxfam, WWF and Channel 4 investigating deserts as a world biome.
Meta Description: [ On Oxfam's Cool Planet web site, On the Line was an educational millennium project involving cultural exchange between United Kingdom and other meridian line countries. A partnership between Oxfam GB, WWF-UK and Channel 4. Deserts home page. ]
OneWorld Magazine: Deserts - We would like you to experience the diversity and cultural richness of the world's deserts, if only virtually.
Meta Description: [ OneWorld Magazine would like you
to experience the diversity and cultural richness of the world's
deserts, if only virtually. Our writer contributors include Tony
Hillerman, Philip K.Hitti, Terry Tempest Williams, Edward Abbey,
David Hurst Thomas, Pat Little Dog, John Nichols, Geoffrey Moo... ]
Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) - ONDA exists to protect, defend and restore forever the health of Oregon's native deserts.
Meta Description: [ The Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) exists to protect, defend and restore forever the health of Oregon's native deserts. ]
Sahara Desert - Information on the physical features, drainage, climate, plant and animal life, as well as the people who live in the Sahara. Published by The Living Africa.
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The Arid Lands Newsletter - a twice-yearly publication of the Office of Arid Lands Studies, the University of Arizona. The purpose of the Arid Lands Newsletter is to explore events and issues of interest to arid lands researchers, resource managers, and policy makers around the globe.
Meta Description: [ Home page of the Arid Lands Newsletter, a twice-yearly publication of the Office of Arid Lands Studies, the University of Arizona. The purpose of the Arid Lands Newsletter is to explore events and issues of interest to arid lands researchers, resource managers, and policy makers around the globe. ]
The Atacama Desert of Chile - information about the geology, climate, and life in the Atacama Desert, provided by Geocam.
The Chihuahuan Desert Region - An overview of the Chihuahuan Desert, includes information on fauna, flora and climate.
The Living Desert: Wildlife and Botanical Park, Palm Desert, California - Devoted to desert habitats of the world. Web site has information on links about deserts.
The Sahara Desert - School project on the Sahara Desert, with information on climate, current issues and photos.
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