hot deserts

Hot Desert Ecosystems

Areas with very high daytime temperatures

Hot Desert Climate

High daytime temperatures all year

Hadley Cells

High pressure belts where dry air descends

Hot Desert Soils

Sandy or rocky with low organic matter

Hot Desert Plants

Adapted to conserve water with succulents and xerophytes.;

Succulents

Plants that store water in stems or leaves for long periods.;

Xerophytes

Plants with small leaves

Saguaro Cactus

Stores up to 8000 litres of water; shallow wide roots; spines reduce water loss.;

Hot Desert Animals

Adapted to extreme temperatures through behaviour and physiology.;

Nocturnal Animals

Active at night to avoid daytime heat; burrow in sand for shelter.;

Fennec Fox

Large ears for hearing and cooling; beige fur for night warmth and camouflage; conserves water.;

Hot Desert People

Live in harsh conditions and adapt to limited water and resources.;

Distribution of Hot Deserts

Located 20-30° N and 20-30° S of the equator; Sahara is largest; others include Namib

Opportunities in Hot Deserts

Development possibilities created by natural resources and climate.;

Mineral Extraction

Mining of resources like gypsum and oil for economic gain.;

Energy

Ideal for solar and wind energy due to abundant sun and wind; fossil fuels also present.;

Farming

Commercial crops like wheat and cotton irrigated using canals such as Indira Gandhi Canal in Thar Desert.;

Tourism

Camel tours

Challenges in Hot Deserts

Factors making development difficult.;

Extreme Temperatures

Daytime highs up to 53°C make working and living conditions harsh.;

Water Supply

Limited rainfall; aquifer water is often salty and of low quality.;

Inaccessibility

Few roads; tarmac melts; sand blown across roads; hard to transport goods.;

Thar Desert

Located in NW India and Pakistan; most densely populated desert in the world.;

Sahel

Area on southern fringe of Sahara at risk of desertification; separates desert from savanna.;

Causes of Desertification

Factors reducing soil quality and vegetation cover.;

Climate Change

Increased drought dries soil

Fuelwood Removal

Deforestation for cooking and heating weakens soil stability.;

Overgrazing

Cattle eat vegetation and hooves break up soil leading to erosion.;

Overcultivation

Continuous farming prevents soil recovery

Population Growth

High birth rates increase demand for food

Strategies to Reduce Desertification

Methods to protect soil and vegetation sustainably.;

The Great Green Wall

Planting millions of trees across the Sahel to bind soil

Stone Lines (Diquettes)

Farmers build stone lines across slopes to reduce surface runoff and soil erosion; small-scale