The Biome of a Temperate Desert By Lizz S. and Sam S. Climate Characteristics     Average Annual Temperature: 20-25 degrees Celsius The temperature range during the year reaches as high as 40 degrees Celsius and as low as -18 degrees Celsius at night Average Annual Precipitation- less than 25 cm per year The main form of precipitation is snow or fog Graph of Precipitation and Average Temperature http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm Other Limiting Factors      The soils are coarse and rocky Hard for plants to grow Lie between 20-30 degrees North and South of the Equator High pressure areas Lack of precipitation Types of Plants  Prickly Pear and Saguaro Cactus  Adaptations:        Reduction of leaves, often into spines for protection Development of the stem as a major photosynthetic structure Water storage in the stem Development of defense structures Coating the plant with a thick waxy cuticle A dense coating of hairs (trichomes) Extensive underground root systems http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/bi omes/desert.htm Temperate Desert in North Dakota http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm Types of Animals  Bactrian Camel and Zebratail Lizard  Adaptations:        Nocturnal Lifestyle Living in Burrows Slender bodies with long limbs Specialized snouts Waxy body coatings Efficient kidneys Eyes protected from the sun http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.ht m Degree of Biodiversity   The degree of biodiversity is high Many different types of plants and animals that thrive there. http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm Biomass Pyramid Top CarnivoreCougar, Eurasian Lynx Midlevel CarnivoreAmerican jackal, Arctic wolf Lower level carnivore- sand fox, Corsac fox Herbivore- Bighorn sheep Primary Producer- Cacti, aloe, bunchgrass Temperate Desert Distribution http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm Reference Page     Ingles, Dr. Lloyd Glen. "The Desert Biome." The World's Biomes. 1999. UCMP. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.p hp. "Temperate Desert Biome." Biomes. 4 July 2008. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/biologypages/b /biomes.html. "Climate." The Desert Biomes. Marietta College. 21 Oct. 2008 http://http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/desert.htm. Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. (2002). Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions. California: Wadsworth Group.