DESERT ECOSYSTEM

Desert ecology is the study of interactions between both biotic and abiotic
components of desert environments. A desert ecosystem is defined by interactions
between organism populations, the climate in which they live, and any other non-
living influences on the habitat. Deserts are arid regions with are generally
associated with warm temperatures, however cold deserts also exist. Deserts can be
found on every continent, with the largest being located in Antarctica, the Arctic,
Northern Africa, and the Middle East.

Climate

Deserts experience a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions.

They can be classified into four types: hot, semiarid, coastal, and cold. Hot deserts
have warm temperatures at all times of the year, and low annual precipitation. The
lack of humidity in these deserts results in high temperatures during the daytime
and large amounts of heat loss at night. Although the average annual temperature
in hot deserts is 20 °C to 25 °C, extreme weather conditions can lead to
temperatures from -18 °C to 49 °C. Rainfall generally occurs in concentrated
bursts, followed by long periods of no precipitation. Semiarid deserts experience
similar conditions to hot deserts, however the maximum and minimum
temperatures tend to be less extreme, ranging from 10 °C to 38 °C. Coastal deserts
are cooler than hot and semiarid deserts, with average summer temperatures
between 13 °C and 24 °C. They also feature higher total rainfall values. Cold
deserts are similar in temperature to coastal deserts, however they receive more
annual precipitation, which much of it in the form of snow.[1] Deserts are most
notable for their dry climates resulting from rain-blocking mountain ranges and
remoteness from oceanic moisture. Deserts occupy one-fifth of the Earth's land
surface and occur in two belts: between 15° and 35° latitude in both the southern
and northern hemispheres.[2] These bands are associated with the high solar
intensities that all areas in the tropics receive, and at the same time with dry air
brought down by the descending arms of Hadley and Ferell atmospheric circulation
cells.

Deserts generally occur because of global wind patterns or rain shadows.

Dry winds not only hold little moisture for these areas, but also tend to evaporate
any water present. Rain shadows do not occur because of general wind patterns but
rather, due to the wind passing over a mountain range. As air rises and cools, its
relative humidity increases and some or most moisture rains out, leaving little to no
water vapour to form precipitation on the other side of the mountain range. Many
desert ecosystems are limited by available water levels, rather than rates of
radiation or temperature. Water flow in these ecosystems can be thought of as
similar to energy flow; in fact, it is often useful to look at water and energy flow
together when studying desert ecosystems and ecology. Water availability in
deserts may also be hindered by loose sediments. Dust clouds commonly form in
windy, arid climates. Scientists have previously theorised that desert dust clouds
would enhance rainfall, however some studies have shown that precipitation is
actually inhibited by this phenomenon by absorbing moisture from the atmosphere.
This absorption can result in a positive feedback loop, which leads to further
desertification.

Landscape

Desert landscapes can contain a wide variety of geological features, such as

oases, rock outcrops, dunes, and mountains.[5] Dunes are structures formed by
wind moving sediments into mounds. Desert dunes are generally classified based
on their orientation relative to wind directly. Possibly the most recognisable dune
type are transverse dunes, whose crests are transverse to the wind direction. Many
dunes are considered to be active, meaning that they travel and change over time
due to the influence of the wind. However, some dunes can be anchored in place
by vegetation or topography, preventing their movement.[6] Some dunes may also
be referred to as sticky, which occurs when the individual grains of sand become
cemented together. Sticky dunes tend to be more stable and resistant to wind
reworking than loose dunes.

Analysis of geological features in desert environments can reveal a lot about

the history of the area. Through observation and identification of rock deposits,
geologists are able to interpret the order of events that occurred during desert
formation. For example, research conducted on the surface geology of the Namib
Desert allowed geologists to interpret ancient movements of the Kuiseb River
based on rock ages and features identified in the area.

Organism Adaptation

Deserts support diverse communities of plant and animals that have evolved
resistance to, and methods of circumventing of, the extreme temperatures and arid
conditions. For example, desert grasslands are more humid and slightly cooler than
its surrounding ecosystems. Many animals get their energy by eating plants, but
desert plants give up the fruit of their production very reluctantly.[9] To avoid
intense temperatures, the majority of small desert mammals are nocturnal, and dig
burrows in which they live. These burrows help maintain to prevent overheating
and resulting loss of water, and to maintain the mammal's optimal temperature.[10]
Desert ecology is characterized by dry, alkaline soils, low net production and
opportunistic feeding patterns by herbivores and carnivores. Other organisms'
survival tactics are physiologically based. Such tactics include the completion of
life cycles ahead of anticipated drought seasons, and storing water with the help of
specialized organs.

Desert climates are particularly demanding on endothermic organisms. In

environments where the external temperature is less than their body temperature,
most endotherms are able to balance heat production and heat loss to maintain a
comfortable temperature. However, in deserts where air and ground temperatures
exceed body temperature, endotherms must be able to dissipate the large amounts
of heat being absorbed in these environments. In order to cope with extreme
conditions, desert endotherms have adapted through the means of avoidance,
relaxation of homeostasis, and specializations. Nocturnal desert rodents, like the
kangaroo rat, will spend the daytime in cool burrows deep underground, and
emerge at night to seek food. Birds are much more mobile than ground-dwelling
endotherms, and can therefore avoid heat-induced dehydration by flying between
water sources. To prevent overheating, the body temperatures of many desert
mammals have adapted to be much higher than non-desert mammals. Camels, for
example, can maintain body temperatures that are about equal to typical desert air
temperatures. This adaptations allows camels to retain large amounts of water for
extended periods of time. Other examples of higher body temperature in desert
mammals include the diurnal antelope ground squirrel, and the oryx. Certain desert
endotherms have evolved very specific and unique characteristics to combat
dehydration. Male sandgrouse have specialized belly feathers that are able to trap
and carry water. This allows the sandgrouse to provide a source of hydration for
their chicks, who do not yet have the ability to fly to water sources themselves.
Although deserts have severe climates, some plants still manage to grow. Plants
that can survive in arid deserts are called xerophytes, meaning they are able to
survive long dry periods. Such plants may close their stomata during the daytime
and open them at night, at the time when a plant may load carbon dioxide while,
thanks to lower temperatures, losing less water to evaporation.

Adaptations in xerophytes include resistance to heat and water loss,

increased water storage capabilities, and reduced surface area of leaves. One of the
most common families of desert plants are the cacti, which are covered in sharp
spines or bristles for defence. The bristles on certain cacti also have the ability to
reflect sunlight, such as those of the old man cactus. Certain xerophytes, like
oleander, feature stomata that are recessed as a form of protection against hot, dry
desert winds, which allows the leaves to retain water more effectively. Another
unique adaptation can be found in xerophytes like ocotillo, which are "leafless
during most of the year, thereby avoiding excessive water loss".

Exploration and Research

The harsh climate of most desert regions is a major obstacle in conducting

research into these ecosystems. In the environments requiring special adaptations
to survive, it is often difficult or even impossible for researchers to spend extended
periods of time investigating the ecology of such regions. To overcome the
limitations imposed by desert climates, some scientists have used technological
advancements in the area of remote sensing and robotics. One such experiment,
conducted in 1997, had a specialised robot named Nomad travel through a portion
of the Atacama Desert. During this expedition, Nomad travelled over 200
kilometres and provided the researchers with many photographs of sites visited
along its path. The word desert comes from the Latin word ‘desertus’. ‘Desertus’
means waste, or something that has been left. From this we get English words such
as desert and deserted.
 An ecosystem is a system of organisms that live together as a community.
So, putting these words together, we can say that a desert ecosystem is a
community of organisms that live together in an environment that seems to be
deserted wasteland. A desert is any place that is difficult to inhabit. Desert
ecosystems can be hot (as in the sandy Sahara) or cold (as on the peaks of
mountains where the high altitude makes conditions very harsh) but both hot and
cold deserts have in common the fact that they are difficult for organisms to
inhabit. Two key factors in the creation of deserts are the rain shadows of
mountains and the big circulation pattern of global wind. In the case of mountains,
as water-filled air is forced up a mountain slope, it cools and dumps its water
(precipitation) on that side of the mountain. If the mountain range is large enough,
little water gets to the other side. Global wind patterns are complicated, but worth
understanding. The winds that circle the globe are caused by the difference
between warm equatorial temperatures and cooler polar temperatures. When air is
warmed at the equator, it rises. It then moves north and south towards each of the
poles, where it cools, loses moisture, sinks, and returns toward the equator. On its
return, the air can hold more water, so it picks up any available moisture over the
desert areas near the equator.

A desert ecosystem is generally witnesses little rainfall, resulting in less

vegetation than in more humid areas of the globe. In addition, micro organisms
such as bacteria will also be present in this ecosystem, though they are not visible
to the naked human eye. In desert ecosystems, the plant and animal life that lives
there will have evolved so that they can combat the harsh conditions (for example,
they will have evolved to store water supplies in their bodies as water is very
scarce in deserts). There are so many different types of desert ecosystems. Let us
look at each of them in turn. Deserts host plants and animals living in what strikes
many humans as oppressive environments. Solar energy that green plants convert
into food fuels life here. Although in most ecosystems plants compete for sunlight,
here most plants are adapted to minimize the effects of too much solar energy.

Annuals compress their life cycles and go dormant as conditions grow

unfavorable. Sudden carpets of wildflowers mark their waking from dormancy as
seeds, like time travelers, quickly germinate, flower, and renew their species before
before seasonal moisture dries up once again. Patient perennials ply an alternate
strategy: Joshua trees flourish in moist periods, then bide their time in long dry
periods.

Many animals get their energy by eating plants, but desert plants give up the
fruit of their production very reluctantly. Sharp spines and chemical-laden leaves
discourage plant-eaters. The kangaroo rat avoids these obstacles by eating seeds
that, while safe to eat, can be hard to find. Many are small and look like grains of
sand. With sensitive front paws a kangaroo rat sifts sand to find seeds by touch,
eats them and transforms them into animal tissue. The plant's solar energy flows
through the ecosystem as kangaroo rats, and other herbivores like jackrabbits, fall
prey to carnivores like great horned owls, coyotes, bobcats or snakes.

A large, productive plant like the Joshua tree is the focal point for a complex
community of wildlife. Some birds nest in the living tree. Others feed on the
resident insects. Discarded limbs or the tree's toppled body provide homes for the
yucca night lizard and termites. Even in death, the Joshua tree's stored solar energy
is is converted by termites into animal tissue. Yucca night lizards may then eat the
termites but fall prey themselves to an owl or snake. As the Joshua tree continues
to decompose, stinkbugs may nibble on their home! And so the Sun's energy keeps
moving through the fascinating life of the desert.
 There are two types of desert within Joshua Tree National Park: the Mojave
and the Colorado. In fact, some ecologists say the park is a transition zone between
the two. As you go from Twentynine Palms to the South Entrance, you begin to see
Joshua trees at the 3,000-foot elevation level. Joshua trees indicate the Mojave
Desert. There are plenty of insects in the desert. One of the most common and
destructive pests is the locust. A locust is a special type of grasshopper. They travel
from place to place, eating all the vegetation they find. Locusts can destroy many
crops in a single day. Not all desert insects are bad, though. The yucca moth is very
important to the yucca plant, because it carries pollen from the flower to the
stigma. The darkling beetle has a hard, white, wing case that reflects the Sun’s
energy. This allows the bug to look for food during the day.

There are also several species of ants in the desert. The harvester ants gather
seeds and store them for use during the dry season. And the honey pot ants have a
very weird habit. Some members of the colony eat large amounts of sugar, so
much that their abdomens get too large for them to move. The rest of the colony
feeds off this sugar. There are also arachnids in the desert. Spiders are the most
notable arachnids, but scorpions also belong in this group. Some species of
scorpions have poison in their sharp tails. They sting their predators and their prey
with the piercing tip.

Desert Reptiles:

Reptiles are some of the most interesting creatures of the desert. Reptiles can
withstand the extreme temperatures because they can control their body tem-
peratures very easily. You can put most of the desert reptiles into one of two
categories: snakes and lizards.
 Many species of rattlesnakes can be found in the desert. Rattlesnakes have a
noisy rattle they use to warn enemies to stay away. If the predator isn’t careful, the
rattlesnake will strike, injecting venom with its sharp fangs. Other desert snakes
include the cobra, king snake and the hognose. Lizards make up the second
category of desert reptiles. They are probably the most bizarre looking animals in
the desert. While some change colors and have sharp scales for defense, others
change their appearance to look more threatening.

One such creature is the frilled hazard. When enemies are near, the lizard
opens its mouth, unveiling a wide frill. This makes the hazard look bigger and
scarier. The shingle back has a tail with the same shape as its head. When a
predator bites at the tail, the shingle back turns around and bites back. There are
only two venomous lizards in the world, and one of them is the gila monster. It has
a very painful bite.

In the Pinto Basin, plants of the Colorado Desert appear: Bigelow (jumping)
cholla and ocotillo. South of the Cottonwood Visitor Center even more distinctive
Colorado Desert plants include palo verde, chuparosa, and ironwood. Nearly three
quarters of these parklands have been designated by Congress for permanent
protection as wilderness, The park's highest value lies in these landscapes -- vast
stretches of arid landforms, vistas, and desert habitat that offer open space, refuge,
and recreation for southern California's teeming population, visitors from the U.S.
and the rest of the world.

Types of desert ecosystems.

When we hear the word desert, we usually think of a very hot, sandy
environment. But, this is just one type of desert ecosystem. Read on to find out
about this, and all the other key types of desert ecosystems.
1. Hot deserts.

Hot deserts can be found close to the equator. The Sahara is a good example
of a hot desert. Hot deserts tend to feature scorching hot ground which many plants
may struggle to grow on, little shade, and a shortage of water. The plants and
animals that live here have evolved in order to adapt to these very hot conditions.
For example, cacti have grown a tough outer skin and interiors which can store up
any fluid that they absorb so that they can stay hydrated during droughts.

2. Cold deserts.

Hot deserts usually exist at low altitudes. Desertification can exist at high
altitudes too, however – and when this happens, the desert will be cold. A good
example is the deserted rocky peaks of a mountain. A cold desert may be sandy or
rocky, but it will be a harsh environment where organisms have adapted in weird
and wonderful ways so that they can survive.

3. Ice deserts.

Ice deserts are another type of cold desert. Here, instead of a sandy or rocky
wasteland, we have a seemingly uninhabited region that is composed of ice. Ice
deserts can be found towards the north and south poles of the planet, though they
may also be located high up on mountain peaks.

Key Characteristics of Deserts

- Deserts receive less than 25 cm of rainfall each year and rainfall is very irregular.
Parts of the Sahara can go years without any rain at all.

- Deserts experience a wide range of temperature from day to night. There is little
to absorb the sun's radiation, so it all goes to the soil or sand. Similarly, there is
nothing -- cloud cover, vegetation, water -- to hold the warmth, so it quickly goes
away.

- The soil is very dry (sand) and is low in organic nutrients, as few plants live, die
and decay there.

- Desert animals and plants are adapted to reproduce quickly during the brief moist
period. Deserts, like forests and grasslands, occur all around the world.
Symmetrical clusters of deserts are found around the Tropic of Cancer and the
Tropic of Capricorn - the two latitudes that define the area where the sun's angle at
solar noon is closest to ninety degrees overhead at the Equinox.

Some famous deserts are the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts in Asia, the Sahara in
northern Africa, and the Great Sandy and Simpson deserts in Australia. Deserts can
come and go with changes in climate. The Sahara was once green and filled with
animals, as portrayed in wall paintings in its sandstone monuments. But when the
ice glaciers Sahara is passed over by strong winds from the north that pick up any
available moisture on their way to the equator.

Desert Birds:

Like the other inhabitants of the desert, birds come up with interesting ways
to survive in the harsh climate. The sand grouse has special feathers that soak up
water. It can then carry the water to its young trapped in the nest. Other birds, like
the gila woodpecker, depend on the giant saguaro as its home. This woodpecker
hollows out a hole in the cactus for a nest. The cool, damp inside is safe for the
babies. The roadrunner is probably the most well known desert bird. Roadrunners
are so named because they prefer to run rather than fly. Ostriches also prefer to use
their feet. Even the young depend on walking to find food and water. The galah is
one of the prettiest desert birds. It is one of the few species that return to the same
nest year after year. Galahs are interesting birds, in that the number of eggs they
lay depends on the climate. If the desert is in a drought, they don’t lay any.
However, during more tolerable years, the galah may lay as many as five eggs.

Conclusion.

Any area of the globe that experiences little rainfall and/ or is seemingly
deserted and empty can be referred to as a desert. As we have seen, though, there
are actually many different types of desert out there in the world. Desert
ecosystems are surprisingly lively and thriving given the harsh nature of the
conditions in a desert. And, it is vitally important that we protect these and all other
ecosystems for future generations of organisms on earth (including humans) to
enjoy.