The Desert Environment

July 30, 2022

Written by: Caroline Kim

Deserts are defined as “any large, extremely dry area of land with sparse vegetation” (Smith). The desert conditions are said to occur under the “eastern sides of major subtropical high-pressure cells” (Rafferty). The largest desert is claimed to be the Sahara, but many would argue that it is actually antarctica; both arguments are reasonable. Deserts often form due to condensed and dehumidified currents of air, causing gradually arid conditions (Rafferty). Though it can often seem barren and like a wasteland, deserts often hold some of the greatest archaeological discoveries due to its dry nature protecting against many decomposing bacteria (Mason). So much can be discovered and learned from the desert such as through the desert landscape archaeology and research. Because of the harsh environment, plant life in the hot deserts are limited to cacti and succulents that have adapted to stay small and close to the ground. This can be to minimize energy expenditure, stay closer to the water storage in their roots, and stay as nutrient dense as possible. Likewise, camels are exceptionally adapted to survive in hot desert conditions because of their water retentive nature (Mason). Slightly contrasting, the colder deserts are more shrub heavy when it comes to plants, and may include animals such as llamas, wolves, and antelope (Mason). Though limited in biodiversity, desert biomes are said to be “one of the most important. There are 15 mineral deposit types on our planet and 13 of them are found in deserts. This makes the desert an important place for mineral resources and for local and global economy” (Maso). The desert is also a great place to generate renewable energy (solar), and also has shown to be able to provide relief from greenhouse gas emissions due to the “scrubby vegetation” (Can Deserts Stop Global Warming? No, but They Help, Study Says). Some various deserts noted are the Nabib, Antarctica, Gobi, Gibson, Tabernas, Mojave, and Atacama deserts (Mason). Deserts are fascinating landscape that I personally feel is not as centralized as it could be; there is so much to learn, and I think research could be very beneficial to improving climate related energy concerns.

Image from National Geographic

Sources:

Smith, Jeremy M.B.. "desert". Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Jul. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/science/desert. Accessed 14 July 2022.

Rafferty, John P.. "How Do Deserts Form?". Encyclopedia Britannica, Invalid Date, https://www.britannica.com/story/how-do-deserts-form. Accessed 14 July 2022.

Mason, Matthew. “Deserts as Ecosystems and Why They Need Protecting.” EnvironmentalScience.org, https://www.environmentalscience.org/deserts-ecosystems#:~:text=The%20desert%20biome%20is%20one,for%20local%20and%20global%20economy.

“Can Deserts Stop Global Warming? No, but They Help, Study Says.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 6 Apr. 2014, https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/can-deserts-stop-global-warming-no-they-help-study-says-n73126.