Food web with 10 organisms

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.

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

Nitrogen Cycle

   Today I learned all about the nitrogen cycle in the desert biome and this is what i learned.  A basic example of the nitrogen cycle in a desert biome begins with the uptake of nitrates by desert plants. The plants that contain the nitrate are then consumed by insects and and reptiles. These  primary consumers are then eaten by secondary consumers, transferring the nitrates from the primary consumers to the secondary consumers. The nitrogen-bearing compounds in these animals are passed further up the food chain to larger carnivores such as coyotes and birds of prey. These carnivores are at the top of their food chains and when they die the nitrogen is returned to the soil. Finally back to soil, bacteria and fungi mineralize the nitrogen back to a usable state for plants. Bringing the cycle back to the beginning.

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. 

The water cycle

Today on my journey through the desert biome I learned all about the water cycle in the desert. I found this really interesting because rain fall is so scarce in this specific biome. Though it is scarce, the water cycle still happens. When it rains, the plants suck up whatever they can and store it in their roots. An example of a plant in the desert that conserves water is the cactus. When it rains, the plants must store the water because the water cycle moves so slowly in the desert. The desert watersheds are often located underground in aquifers. Water held in a desert watershed rarely ever makes it into the ocean. Even though the desert biome does not frequently go through the water cycle, it still happens. 

Energy Pyramid

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. 

Climatograph of the desert

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.