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Geoecology: Biomes - Coggle Diagram
Geoecology: Biomes
Desert biome
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Some cold −40 C, e.g. Gobi
Large diurnal temperature range, e.g. 30 C
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Three types: extremely arid, arid, semi-arid
Climate
Dry trade winds: convectional rainfall, clear, cloudless skies
Rain-shadow effect: western edges of continents, relief rainfall, deserts occurring on dry leeward side
Influence of cold ocean currents: cold air cannot hold moisture, dry, warm prevailing winds
Continentality: moisture-laden winds blow in from sea, lose their moisture, become warm, dry inland winds
Soils (aridisols)
Characteristics: dry soils, coarser grained if found near mountain slopes through process of exfoliation, finer grained in lowland areas
Lack of vegetation: poorly developed, lack of humus content, high mineral content
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Soil-forming factors: capillary action of groundwater that contains dissolved minerals causing salinisation and calcification
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Fauna (animals)
Behaviour: nocturnal, burrows underground, hibernate, follow shadows
Body-form evolution: paler fur, long body parts, e.g. camel fat stored in humps, pads of tough skin to knee, long eyelashes, wide padded feet, tough-skinned mouth
Body-function evolution: horns for digging tools, uric acid instead of urine, waterproof skin, some birds don’t fly
A biome is a major world region that has its own unique climate, soil type, flora and fauna