DESERT ECOSYSTEM

by Maroosh Khalid
Roll No: 22512031033
Introduction
• Earth is the only planet where life is possible and
comprises of an atmosphere, ecosystem and various land
formations that are necessary for the survival.
• Earth is 70% covered by water and remaining part is
covered by land.
• 1/5th of the earth’s land is covered with deserts.
• Every continent on this earth has a desert and every
desert has its own ecosystem which is known as Desert
ecosystem.
Desert
• When we hear the word
‘desert’ the very first thing
that strikes our minds is a
big barren, abandoned
and dry land without plants
covered with sand.
• A desert can be hot and
cold both.
Definition
• A desert ecosystem is a biome characterized by low
precipitation, extreme temperatures, and sparse
vegetation.
• It typically includes organisms specially adapted to
survive in arid conditions, such as cacti, succulents,
reptiles, and animals with specialized water-conservation
strategies.
• Desert is one of the most dried land areas on this planet
that receives very little precipitation annually.

• It is a land with very less rainfall throughout the year

measured less than 50 cm a year.

• Desert ecosystem is the driest ecosystem of the earth

and this is the reason it has less vegetation and less
diversity of life.
• It is one of the parts of the terrestrial ecosystem.

• The plants and animals of the desert ecosystem have

mastered the art of survival in harsh conditions.

• A desert ecosystem is basically devoid of any rainfall or

precipitation.
Cacti and Succulent Plants:
Characteristics of desert ecosystem
• Low precipitation • Humidity
• Extreme temperatures • Velocity of wind
• Sparse Vegetation • Quality of soil
• Adapted Fauna • Scarcity of Water
• Unique Biodiversity • Population Density
• Aridity • Population grows slowly
Low Precipitation:
• Deserts receive very little
rainfall, leading to dry
conditions and scarcity of
water.
• This lack of water defines
the arid nature of deserts.
Extreme temperatures
• Deserts experience wide
temperature variations,
with scorching hot days
and chilly nights.
• The absence of humidity
causes rapid temperature
changes.
Sparse Vegetation
• Due to limited water
availability, deserts have
sparse plant life dominated
by specialized species like
cacti and succulents
adapted to conserve
water.
Adapted Fauna
• Animals in deserts have
evolved various
adaptations to survive in
these harsh environments,
including water-
conservation mechanisms
and behaviors suited for
extreme temperatures.
Unique Biodiversity
• Despite the challenging
conditions, deserts host
diverse and often uniquely
adapted life forms,
showcasing nature's ability
to thrive in seemingly
inhospitable environments.
Aridity
• It is the common characteristic of all the deserts on the
earth.
• Aridity simply implies the deficiency of moisture’s or
dryness.
• Desert experience very less rainfall and thus result in
aridity.
Humidity
• The humidity level in a desert ecosystem is very low in
the daytime and relatively high at night.
Quality of Soil:
• In deserts is very low to grow vegetation.
• It is dry, rocky, thin, sandy, mainly grey in colour and has
no organic contents like nitrogen, phosphorus etc which
are essential for the growth of plants.
Velocity of wind
• It tends to be very high in
a desert ecosystem.
• This is the reason deserts
experience sandstorms/
dust storms of high
intensity resulting in the
formation of huge sand
dunes.
Scarcity of Water
• Due to less rainfall, there
is a shortage of water in a
desert ecosystem.
• Due to the scarcity of
water deserts have to face
the situation of drought
half of the year.
Population Density
• Density Is very low in deserts and nearby areas as there
is there a scarcity of water, food and climatic conditioner
are too harsh.
Plants grow very slowly
• In this ecosystem that includes basically vegetation’s with
spines like cacti that can easily survive in such conditions.
Types of Desert Ecosystems
by Sana Khan
Outlines
• Types of Desert ecosystem

• Cold desert ecosystem

• Hot desert ecosystem
• Coastal desert ecosystem
• Semi – arid desert ecosystem
Cold desert ecosystem
• Short, moderately warm summers with fairly long cold
winters
• Winter temperature is b/w -2 to 4 C
• Summer temperature is b/w 21 to 26 C
• Winters receive quite bit of snow
• Annual precipitation ranges from 15-26 cm
Interesting facts
• Cold deserts are home to certain animal species found
nowhere else
• Cold desert can host temporary bodies of water
• Some cold desert plants have incredibly long lifespan
• Cold desert can experience drastic temperature
fluctuations
• Cold desert regions have unique geographical formation
• Cold desert are home to rich mineral deposits
• Cold deserts support nomadic communities
World’s largest desert
• Antarctica is the largest desert in the world
• Precipitation being very low primarily in form of snowfall
despite its vast size
• Annual precipitation less than 51mm
• Contain 90% of the Earth fresh water
• Antarctic peninsula is one of most rapidly warming areas
on earth
• Antarctica is the largest desert in the world
• Precipitation being very low primarily in form of snowfall
despite its vast size
• Annual precipitation less than 51mm
• Contain 90% of the Earth fresh water
• Antarctic peninsula is one of most rapidly warming areas
on earth
Why Antarctic is so cold?
• As Antarctic is covered by largest ice sheet on earth.

• The ice sheet reflects most of the solar radiation that

reaches back to space.

• The ice cool the air and keep the Antarctic cool.
Hot desert
• Climate is very hot
• Summer day time temperature exceed 40C
• Absence of water vapour in air

• Found near tropics of cancer and capricon

• Little biodiversity because of harsh climate
• Less than 250mm of rainfall a year
World’s largest hot desert Sahara
• Third largest desert
• Sahara means Reddish colour
• Population is just 2 million
• Famous for extreme weather
• Hottest temperature recoded 58 C
• 20 lakes in Sahara
• Rainfall is less than 3 inches
• Another famous feature is its multiple oasis
• Home to multiple Antelope species
Types of deserts

By Majida Rani
The Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India

• Thar Desert, arid region of rolling sand hills on the Indian subcontinent. It is
located partly in Rajasthan state, northwestern India, and partly in Punjab
and Sindh (Sind) provinces, eastern Pakistan.
The Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India.

• The Thar Desert is one of the major hot deserts in the world.

• The desert covers an area of about 200,000 square km, mostly in the
Indian state of Rajasthan.
• Rainfall in the Thar Desert is low – typically between 120 and 240mm
per year – and summer temperatures in July can reach 53°.
• The soils are generally sandy and not very fertile, as there is little
organic matter to enrich them. They drain quickly so there is little
surface water.
Economic Opportunities in the Desert

Subsistence Farming:
Most of the people living in the desert are involved with farming.
Over the border in Pakistan’s Thar region, the Kohlis tribe are descendants of
hunter-gatherers who survived in the desert by hunting animals and gathering
fruit and natural products such as honey. This type of subsistence farming is the
most basic form of farming and is rarely found in the world today.
.Economic Opportunities in the Desert

• Mining and Industry:

• The state of Rajasthan is rich in minerals. The desert region has valuable
reserves of gypsum (used in making plaster for the construction industry and
in making cement), feldspar (used to make ceramics), phospherite (used for
making fertiliser)
Economic Opportunities in the Desert

• There are valuable reserves of stone in the area. At Jaisalmer the Sanu
limestone is main source of limestone for India’s steel industry. Limestone is
also quarried for making cement
Economic Opportunities in the Desert

• Tourism:
• Thar Desert, with its beautiful landscapes, has become a popular tourist
destination. Desert safaris on camels, based at Jaisalmer, have become
particularly popular with foreigner as well as with wealthy Indians from
elsewhere in the country.
Economic Opportunities in the Desert

• Forestry:
• The most important tree in the Thar Desert is the Prosopis cineraria

• A lot of foliage is produced, which can be used to feed animals,

especially in the drier winter.
• The trees can provide good-quality firewood.

• The wood is strong and can be used as a local building material.

Economic Opportunities in the Desert

Stabilising Sand Dunes:

The sand dunes in the Thar Desert are very mobile.
Various approaches have been adopted to stabilise the sand dunes, including
planting blocks of trees and establishing shelterbelts of fences and trees
alongside roads and canals.
The Semi-Arid Desert Biome
Biomes are areas that have certain animal and plant species, as well as
climate, i.e., a community of flora and fauna and their variations in response to
the environment.
Chaparral is one of the most desirable places for living because of its moderate
temperatures and low rainfall.
• The semi-arid biome is characterized by having less high temperatures and a
more versatile plant life
Deserts of Pakistan

By Iqra Memooon Rasheed

Kharan desert

• In balochistan (south-western Pakistan )

• Sandy and mountainous region
• Served as a site of Pakistan’s second nuclear test.
• Chagai-II which was carried out on 30 May 1998.
• has a dry climate.
• The inhabitants are usually into 9 agriculture and farming.
Thar desert

• Next major desert in Pakistan

• It is the largest desert in Pakistan.
• It splits between Pakistan and India
• 85%area in India and 15% is in Pakistan.
• Home to many varieties of indigenous trees,herbs,and
grasses.
Thal desert

• Third major desert in Pakistan.

• Present in Punjab between the Jhelum and Sindh rivers
near the Pothohar Plateau.
Cholistandesert

• Also known as the Rohi Desert among the locals.

• Located in the southern region of Pakistan.
Cold desert Sakardu

• Katpana desert, also known as the Cold desert is a high

altitude desert
• Located in Skardu, northern Gilgit-Baltistan.
• The desert comprises large dunes of sand
• During the winters, the regions get covered in snow.
Importance of desert ecology

• Desert ecosystem occupy a significant place in the world.

• Important role in maintaining the balance of the earth
• Despite low rainfall and dry climate
• Habitat for many species of plants and animals.
Bacterial population

• Bacteria are present in the sand of the deserts.

• Which can store carbon dioxide.
• acts as a carbon sink
• Preventing carbondioxide from entering the atmosphere.
Source of mineral resources and natural gas.
Beautiful ecosystem
• Has different types of land forms and oases.
Tourism Industry
Different biodiversity in this ecosystem
Alarming situation

• Global warming
• Is one of the main issues and its effects are most
noticeable in warm deserts.
• Due to the rise in temperature, many plants and animals
present in the desert ecosystem are facing challenges
related to food and their survivability