evolutionary changes that improve an organism’s chance of survival in its environment

active at night and resting during the day

the variety of different types of life found in a particular area

a community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment

Plant and animal adaptations, issues relating to biodiversity

Geography

Location and physical characteristics of hot deserts

The interdependence of biotic and abiotic components in hot deserts

Development opportunities and challenges in the Kalahari Desert

Desertification – causes and strategies

This unit teaches pupils about the location, characterisitics, opprtunities and challenges associated with one global environment, either hot deserts or cold environments. Pupils will also learn about plant and animal adaptation and about issues facing their chosen environment.

Hot desert and cold environments

To reduce water loss through transpiration

To increase water absorption from rainfall

Why do some desert plants have thick, waxy skin?

Helps reduce energy loss from moving in sand

Which of the following is **not** a reason for low biodiversity in hot deserts?

Ephemeral {{}} in hot deserts rapidly complete their life cycles during brief wet periods.

Which of the following is a human threat to biodiversity in hot deserts?

Growing quickly after rainfall and dying when water dries up

Having broad leaves to increase photosynthesis

Storing water in their stems, roots, or leaves

Which of the following is a characteristic of xerophytes?

A region that is hot and arid, with extremely low rainfall

A region that has high temperatures year-round and heavy seasonal rainfall

A region with consistently warm temperatures, high humidity and dense forests

A hot region near the Equator with frequent rain showers and lush vegetation

How much rainfall falls annually in hot desert environments?

There isn’t much water to leach nutrients out of the soil

There aren’t many plants to take nutrients out of the soil store

Decomposition takes a long time in hot deserts

Desert soils are constantly enriched by nearby rivers and streams

Plants constantly take up nutrients from the soil store

Why is the soil store in hot deserts bigger than the biomass or litter stores?

hot areas experiencing low rainfall, generally below 250 mm per year

a global land area characterised by its plants, animals and climate

the living elements of an ecosystem (e.g. plants, animals)

the non-living elements of an ecosystem (e.g. water, nutrients)

links between environmental components depending on one another

Between the tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) and the tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S)

Between 15° and 30° north and south of the Equator

The process of improving rural areas with better infrastructure and services

The movement of people from cities to the countryside for a quieter lifestyle

The growth in the percentage of people living in urban areas rather than rural

The expansion of agricultural land to support population growth

Urbanisation is a key factor in the decrease of biodiversity in hot desert environments. What does the term 'urbanisation' mean?

Plant and animal adaptations, issues relating to biodiversity

Lesson outcome