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How to Locate a Desert Biome

Deserts are the driest biomes on earth. A biome is a large area with similar plants, animals and climatic conditions. Desert biomes are often called deserts and are usually found between 15 degrees and 35 degrees latitude, north and south of the equator, and cover about 20 percent of the earth's surface. There are a variety of plant, bird and animal species adapted to the dry conditions. Deserts are found throughout Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Mexico, the United States, Australia and South America. Locate a desert biome by finding land areas with minimal precipitation.

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the average precipitation for the region. Deserts receive 10 inches or less of precipitation per year. Often the precipitation occurs in short bursts with long rainless periods. Downpours and flash floods are possible during these rainstorms.
- 2
  Record the average high and low temperatures for the area. Desert biomes usually have very warm days with nights 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. Heat escapes rapidly at night because the air is dry. High-elevation deserts are much cooler during parts of the year than low-elevation deserts.
- 3
  Estimate the elevation of the area. Deserts vary greatly in elevation and may be hot for much of the year or cold during the winter season, with freezing temperatures and snow. The Mojave Desert in the southwestern United States is a hot desert and is well known for Death Valley. The Great Basin in the western United States has higher elevations and is a cold desert.
- 4
  Locate major mountain ranges and determine if there is a rain shadow. In some areas, the rainfall is heavy on one side of the mountain range and very limited on the other side. Air moves over a mountain range and cools. Moisture in the form of rain or snow is lost from the clouds. The air warms as it moves to the other side, holds less moisture, and creates a desert area.
- 5
  Identify the major animal and plant species. Many animals are nocturnal to escape the hot, sunny days and some obtain water from vegetation. Plants often have very shallow roots or extremely deep tap roots to absorb all available water. Plants, such as cactus, have adaptations to collect and store water and to reduce water loss.

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