Semiarid Desert
Location
Major semiarid deserts include the sagebrush of Utah, Montana and Great Basin. They also include the Nearctic realm (North America, Newfoundland, Greenland, Russia, Europe and northern Asia).
Major semiarid deserts include the sagebrush of Utah, Montana and Great Basin. They also include the Nearctic realm (North America, Newfoundland, Greenland, Russia, Europe and northern Asia).
Human Impact
There is no direct human impact that specifies to threatening a particular type of desert, but the entire desert biome is being effected by humans. Humans are drilling all over deserts. The desert population rises along with the demand for water. The water that animals once drank is being drilled and drained for industries, agriculture, and people. Grazing animals in the desert can destroy many of the desert's plants and animals, being counterproductive. Global warming is increasing the extent of drought, drying up water holes, along with increasing wild fires which burn the slow-growing shrubs and trees. Deserts are often used as nuclear waste dump sites, as they are used for nuclear testing.
Weather
The summers in a Semiarid Desert are usually long and dry, and the winters normally have little rainfall. Summer temperatures are between 21-27°C on average, normally not going above 38° C. During the evenings, temperatures are cool, around 10° C. Cool nights help plants and animals by reducing moisture loss from transpiration, sweating and breathing. Just like a regular hot desert, rainfall in a Semiarid desert is very low, 2-4 cm yearly.
Plants
Plants in a semiarid desert all tend to be spiny. This provides a natural protection in the desert. The large numbers of spines shade the surface enough to significantly reduce transpiration. The same may be true of the hairs on the woolly desert plants. Many plants have silvery or glossy leaves, allowing them to reflect more radiant energy. These plants often have an unfavorable odor or taste. Semiarid plants include: Creosote bush, bur sage (Franseria dumosa or F. deltoidea), white thorn, cat claw, mesquite, brittle bushes (Encelia farinosa), lyciums, and jujube.
Plants in a semiarid desert all tend to be spiny. This provides a natural protection in the desert. The large numbers of spines shade the surface enough to significantly reduce transpiration. The same may be true of the hairs on the woolly desert plants. Many plants have silvery or glossy leaves, allowing them to reflect more radiant energy. These plants often have an unfavorable odor or taste. Semiarid plants include: Creosote bush, bur sage (Franseria dumosa or F. deltoidea), white thorn, cat claw, mesquite, brittle bushes (Encelia farinosa), lyciums, and jujube.