Vegetation
Vegetation in hot deserts
Firstly you would know that the hot desert's soil is extremely poor and are limited to what the desert soil can grow. But usually plants that do grow would have really long roots to retrieve water better. They would also be able to store water in the stem and leaves.
Firstly you would know that the hot desert's soil is extremely poor and are limited to what the desert soil can grow. But usually plants that do grow would have really long roots to retrieve water better. They would also be able to store water in the stem and leaves.
Examples of vegetation in hot deserts
A Saguaro Cactus in AZ.
Saguaro Cactus
On the left you can see how a Saguaro Cactus looks like and calculate its size. Saguaro Cactuses' average life span is 200 years. This type of cactus can grow over 15 metres long! Their growth depends on how much precipitation is in that area, with more precipitation the faster or larger the cactus will grow. When it rains the cactus absorbs all the rain it can and you can visualise it expanding in the trunk and side arms because the water is stored there. The diametre of the stem can be 18 to 24 inches wide! The water is now preserved and will be used slowly. This is one of its adaptations. Another adaptation is the roots; the roots aren't that long like they're supposed to be. The roots are very thick and it is very sturdy. One more adaptation is its structural features. There is woody tissue, which runs along the walls to make it strong and its cylinder shape. There is another fleshy tissue, which makes the water inside the trunk move more easily. The spines also have a adaptation. The spine cools the outer skin; it can also redirect the wind and insulate the plant. These plants are mostly found in California, Arizona, Mexico and the Sonoran Desert.
Saguaro Cactuses can form side arms, which can take 75 years to form. After it is fully grown on the end of the side arm, flowers can actually grow. The flowers bloom at night in April through to June. The flowers need a lot of pollen to be pollinated to make fruits called ruby red fruits.
On the left you can see how a Saguaro Cactus looks like and calculate its size. Saguaro Cactuses' average life span is 200 years. This type of cactus can grow over 15 metres long! Their growth depends on how much precipitation is in that area, with more precipitation the faster or larger the cactus will grow. When it rains the cactus absorbs all the rain it can and you can visualise it expanding in the trunk and side arms because the water is stored there. The diametre of the stem can be 18 to 24 inches wide! The water is now preserved and will be used slowly. This is one of its adaptations. Another adaptation is the roots; the roots aren't that long like they're supposed to be. The roots are very thick and it is very sturdy. One more adaptation is its structural features. There is woody tissue, which runs along the walls to make it strong and its cylinder shape. There is another fleshy tissue, which makes the water inside the trunk move more easily. The spines also have a adaptation. The spine cools the outer skin; it can also redirect the wind and insulate the plant. These plants are mostly found in California, Arizona, Mexico and the Sonoran Desert.
Saguaro Cactuses can form side arms, which can take 75 years to form. After it is fully grown on the end of the side arm, flowers can actually grow. The flowers bloom at night in April through to June. The flowers need a lot of pollen to be pollinated to make fruits called ruby red fruits.
Example No.2
Joshua Tree.
Joshua Tree
On the left you can see a picture of a Joshua tree. Joshua Trees' average lifespan is 200 years. Joshua Trees grow very quickly, the first 10 years it would grow 7.6 cm a year on average but later its average growth per year would be 3.8 cm. This tree doesn’t have annual growth wings because of this you cannot tell the age. This tree has long roots, which is an adaptation. There are 2 sets of roots. 1 is to store leftover water, the other
develops bulbs. One more adaptation is the leaves. The leaves are pointed upwards to capture all the moisture it can from the air. Then is kept in the trunks and branches of the tree. If the tree can withstand and take the deserts extremes the tree can live for hundreds of years and can grow to 15 metres.
The tree also has flowers, which are yellow and green and later after the plant is pollinated the flowers produce a Joshua Tree Fruit, which is green and brown. The only insect that can pollinate the flower is the Yucca Moth because the eggs are differently evolved then other insects.
On the left you can see a picture of a Joshua tree. Joshua Trees' average lifespan is 200 years. Joshua Trees grow very quickly, the first 10 years it would grow 7.6 cm a year on average but later its average growth per year would be 3.8 cm. This tree doesn’t have annual growth wings because of this you cannot tell the age. This tree has long roots, which is an adaptation. There are 2 sets of roots. 1 is to store leftover water, the other
develops bulbs. One more adaptation is the leaves. The leaves are pointed upwards to capture all the moisture it can from the air. Then is kept in the trunks and branches of the tree. If the tree can withstand and take the deserts extremes the tree can live for hundreds of years and can grow to 15 metres.
The tree also has flowers, which are yellow and green and later after the plant is pollinated the flowers produce a Joshua Tree Fruit, which is green and brown. The only insect that can pollinate the flower is the Yucca Moth because the eggs are differently evolved then other insects.
Vegetation in cold deserts
The cold desert's soil is also extremely poor like the hot desert's soil. Some cold deserts are covered in snow and ice and that would mean hardly anything would grow except for some shrubs.
The cold desert's soil is also extremely poor like the hot desert's soil. Some cold deserts are covered in snow and ice and that would mean hardly anything would grow except for some shrubs.
Examples of vegetation in cold deserts.
Sagebrush.
Sagebrush
On the left there is a picture of a Sagebrush. The average lifespan of a sagebrush is 80 years. The average height of these plants is 0.5 metres to 3 metres tall. These plants' root system is very smart. Firstly it reaches down 1.4 metres down to get water while at the same time there are a lot of roots just below the surface. That means the roots can collect water when it rains and deep down in the soil. This is its adaptation. The plant is eaten by a lot of desert animals like the pygmy rabbit and mule deer.
This plant also produces flowers, which are yellow. They also produce fruits but the fruits are seed like and if you combined a lot of the fruits you can make flower by grinding it.
On the left there is a picture of a Sagebrush. The average lifespan of a sagebrush is 80 years. The average height of these plants is 0.5 metres to 3 metres tall. These plants' root system is very smart. Firstly it reaches down 1.4 metres down to get water while at the same time there are a lot of roots just below the surface. That means the roots can collect water when it rains and deep down in the soil. This is its adaptation. The plant is eaten by a lot of desert animals like the pygmy rabbit and mule deer.
This plant also produces flowers, which are yellow. They also produce fruits but the fruits are seed like and if you combined a lot of the fruits you can make flower by grinding it.
Rubber Rabbitbrush.
Rubber Rabbitbrush
On the left you can see a Rubber Rabbitbrush. The average height of these plants is 0.3 metres to 2.3 metres. One adaptation is that on the leaves and the flexible twigs there are hair like things that reduce water loss and transpiration.
These plants bloom yellow flowers in early fall. These flowers make fruits called achenes.
On the left you can see a Rubber Rabbitbrush. The average height of these plants is 0.3 metres to 2.3 metres. One adaptation is that on the leaves and the flexible twigs there are hair like things that reduce water loss and transpiration.
These plants bloom yellow flowers in early fall. These flowers make fruits called achenes.