The Sahara
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Transcript of The Sahara
THE SAHARADry Desert
WHAT IS THE SAHARA
Hot Desert ( less than 10 inches of rain, temp. range23
to 136 Degrees Fahrenheit with 86 average ) Some area average less than one inch of rain
per year.
SIZE: THIRD LARGEST DESERT AND LARGEST HOT DESERT COVERING ABOUT 3,500,000 SQ. MILES
Borders 11 Countries
PHYSICAL FEATURES
ERGS, SAND SEAS WITH DUNES UP TO A THOUSAND FEET HIGH
REGS: PLAINS OF SAND AND BLACK, RED OR WHITE GRAVEL
HAMADAS: ELEVATED PLATEAUS OF ROCK AND STONE UP TO 11,000 FEET
WADIS: TEMPORARY WATER SOURCES FED BY RAINFALL
OASIS: AT ITS HUB IS WATER, OFTEN IN THE FORM OF NATURAL SPRINGS, ARTESIAN WELLS OR ENTIRE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
SAHARAN VEGETATION IS GENERALLY SPARSE, WITH SCATTERED CONCENTRATIONS OF GRASSES, SHRUBS, AND TREES IN THE HIGHLANDS, IN OASIS DEPRESSIONS, AND ALONG THE WADIS
PLANT LIFE Saharan vegetation is generally sparse, with scattered concentrations of grasses, shrubs, and trees in the highlands, in oasis depressions, and along the wadis
The soils of the Sahara are low in organic matter. Soils in depressions are frequently saline.
rainfall happens very rarely, but when it does it is usually torrential when it occurs after long dry periods.
Wide temperature range.
500 plant species compared to 40000 of Amazon
OLEANDER: TYPICALLY FOUND AROUND STREAM BEDS AND OASIS.
MAY GERMINATE WITHIN THREE DAYS OF ADEQUATE RAINFALL AND SOW THEIR SEEDS WITHIN 10 OR 15 DAYS OF GERMINATION.
DATE PALM TREE: UP 75 FEET TALL WITH ROOTS 150 FEET DEEP
GRASS:SPREAD OVER A LARGE SURFACE AREA AND TAKE IN ENOUGH MOISTURE TO SURVIVEBECAUSE OF THE SLIM SURFACE AREA OF THE LEAVES, THE LACK OF MOISTURE THROUGH EVAPORATION IS REDUCED
ANIMAL LIFEThe dry desert is filled with animal life contrary to what most may believe. The Sahara is filled with small creatures to large mammals.
The Sahara is also home to 300 different species of migratory birds.
DUNG BEETLE:A SPECIES OF BEETLES THAT FEEDS ENTIRELY OFF ANIMAL WASTE, THE DUNG BEETLE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SAHARA
DEATHSTALKER SCORPION :NOCTURNAL HUNTER, FEED ON SMALL LIZARDS AND INSECTS.
DROMEDARY CAMELS: STORES FAT IN HUMP, CAN GO WITHOUT WATER FOR WEEKS
ENDANGERED AND THREATENED ANIMALS
FENNEC FOX: NOCTURNAL HUNTER WITH LARGE EARS THAT HELP DISSIPATE HEAT. ENDANGERED BECAUSE OF HUMAN OVER TRAPPING
THE ADDAX ANTELOPE: ENDANGERED DO TO OVER HUNTING
VALS GUNDI MOUSE
THREATS TO ENVIRONMENT
Human Development threat Drought and Global warming
RESOURCES
Underwater reserves Oil Iron ore Coal and natural gas Phosphates