Friday, January 29, 2016
Limiting factors- 2 density-dependent and 2 density-independent
Two things I discovered today about the desert is that it contains density-dependent and density-independent factors. 2 density-dependent factors in the desert are competition and disease. An example of competition would be the Cactus Wren population fighting for the same resources. They all receive food and water from the Saguaro Cactus, but the cactus can only provide so much for a large population of birds. The desert is a highly populated biome for some species, such as coyotes. Fleas and ticks can spread easily throughout the coyote population, and can cause sickness throughout the whole pack. 2 density-independent factors are limitation of water and the hot climate. There is less than 25 cm. of rainfall a year in the desert biome. For example, the Yucca plant has waxy leaves that help prevent transpiration. An example of animals being about to withstand the heat would be Gila Monsters. They are forced to stay under rocks until the sun goes down so their bodies do not over heat.
3 plants and a specific adaptation for survival for each plant
Three plants I've seen today are: the elephant tree, a saguaro, and a desert sage. These plants have special adaptations that allow them to live in these extreme desert climates. The elephant tree has long trunks that allow them to store water for days. The saguaro uses thorns to protect itself from predators. Also, the saguaro's flowers self pollinate very easily, ensuring that the cactus does not have to worry about extinction. The desert sage's adaption is that it does not need water at all; it can survive drought very well. Instead, it conserves solar energy instead of water like most plants.
3 animals and a specific adaptation for survival for each animal
The three animals I have seen so far are: jack rabbits, scorpions and coyotes.The jackrabbits have large eyes with specific placement. They are positioned closer to the end of their face, allowing them to see in front of as well as to the side of them. This helps keep them alert of any predators. Scorpions have a hard exoskeleton. They use it to prevent themselves from being easily crushed by larger objects. Also, their wax-like exoskeleton helps minimize water loss.The coyotes use their large muscles to help them run fast and catch their prey easier. They also use their sharp claws to rip apart their prey.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
3 Examples of competition
Today on my journey through the desert biome I learned all about the competition that goes on in the desert biome. Here are some examples: An eagle and rattlesnakes fighting for birds to eat, coyote and rattlesnake fighting over a pocket mouse, and cacti fighting for water with all other organisms.
5 Specific Sources
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.php
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert.htm
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/desert-threats/
http://desertfactbook.weebly.com/competition.html
http://desertbiomepro.weebly.com/symbioticcompetitive-relationships.html
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert.htm
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/desert-threats/
http://desertfactbook.weebly.com/competition.html
http://desertbiomepro.weebly.com/symbioticcompetitive-relationships.html
Nitrogen Cycle
![](http://shawcloud.yolasite.com/resources/Nitrogen%20Cycle.png)
Human Impacts on the Biome
In my discoveries today I learned all about how humans impact the desert biome. We are impacting this biome in more ways than you would think. Many types of human activities affect the desert biome, like off roading when we run our vehicles over the desert soil and carve the tracks into the soil that will scar the land for many years. These tracks can kill off vegetation in the desert when the vegetation is hurt so are the animals. Animals that rely on the sandy desert floor for camouflage can be harmed. We also affect the water in the desert without even knowing what it does to the ecosystem. There is so little water that moves through the desert, the plants are provided with water from irrigation from rivers and wells. By removing fossil water, humans are destroying water that other animals were relying on for survival.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
The water cycle
![watercycle.jpg](http://thedesert.wikispaces.com/file/view/watercycle.jpg/115943555/watercycle.jpg)
Sunday, January 24, 2016
One example for each type of symbiotic relationship
An example of parasitism in the desert would be a flea on a coyote. The flea gets a delicious meal, but the coyote gets sick. An example of mutualism in the desert would be a mistletoe plant and a phainopepla bird. The phainopepla bird eats berries off the mistletoe plant and digests the seeds, unintentionally laying them in the soil of the desert. This ensures the survival of the mistletoe plant. An example of commensalism in the desert would be a cactus wren building its nest in a cholla cactus. The cactus wren gains a place to protect its young from predators and the cactus in neither helped nor harmed.
Summer and Winter Climate Information
Today I have arrived in the desert. So far I have learned the average temperatures of the desert are 80-110 degrees, but the extreme temperature is 120 degrees. In the winter, the temperature drops as low as 28-39 degrees.
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