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Desert ecology is the study of interactions between both biotic and abiotic components of desert environments. A desert ecosystem is defined by interactions between organisms, the climate in which they live, and any other non-living influences on the habitat. Deserts are arid regions that are generally associated with warm temperatures; however ...
The saguaro is a columnar cactus that grows notable branches, usually referred to as arms. Over 50 arms may grow on one plant, with one specimen having 78 arms. [6] Saguaros grow from 3–16 m (10–52 ft) tall, and up to 75 cm (30 in) in diameter. They are slow growing, but routinely live 150 to 200 years.
In the United States, it is found as far east as New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, all the way through Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, and as far west as California, Oregon, and Washington. Two of the most common plant communities in the United States are found in the Mojave Desert and in the Columbia River drainage basin. In Canada ...
Where these are found, oases can occur. Plants and animals living in the desert need special adaptations to survive in the harsh environment. Plants tend to be tough and wiry with small or no leaves, water-resistant cuticles, and often spines to deter herbivory.
In ecology, an oasis ( / oʊˈeɪsɪs /; pl.: oases / oʊˈeɪsiːz /) is a fertile area of a desert or semi-desert environment [1] that sustains plant life and provides habitat for animals. Surface water and land may be present, or water may only be accessible from wells or underground channels created by humans.
Desert greening. Desert greening is the process of afforestation or revegetation of deserts for ecological restoration ( biodiversity ), sustainable farming and forestry, but also for reclamation of natural water systems and other ecological systems that support life. The term "desert greening" is intended to apply to both cold and hot arid and ...
A cactus ( pl.: cacti, cactuses, or less commonly, cactus) [3] is a member of the plant family Cactaceae ( / kæˈkteɪsiaɪ, - siːiː / ), [a] a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1,750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. [4] The word cactus derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Greek word κάκτος ( káktos ), a name ...
Other animals, such as wolf spiders and scorpions, have a thick outer covering that minimizes moisture loss. Animals in tropical deserts have also been found to concentrate their urine in their kidneys to excrete less water. Flora. Representative desert plants include the barrel cactus, brittlebush, chain fruit cholla, creosote.