2.3.5

Biodiversity in Hot Deserts

Test yourself

Biodiversity of Hot Deserts

Hot deserts do not have much biodiversity.

Illustrative background for Where is biodiversity highest?Illustrative background for Where is biodiversity highest? ?? "content

Where is biodiversity highest?

  • Overall, hot deserts have a much lower degree of biodiversity than tropical rainforests.
  • Temperatures are too high, water is too scarce and the soil is too nutrient-free to support large and biodiverse populations.
  • Special evolutionary adaptations are needed to survive in deserts. Often species of animals that live in deserts are unable to live in other parts of the world and are unique to hot deserts.
Illustrative background for What are threats to hot desert animals?Illustrative background for What are threats to hot desert animals? ?? "content

What are threats to hot desert animals?

  • Climate change increasing the temperature of the Earth means that deserts are becoming even hotter.
  • Even species that have evolved only to live in deserts could find deserts too hot to survive in the future due to global warming.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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