Lesson video

Hi, geographers! My name's Ms. Hoggett, and I'm really excited that you're here to learn some geography with me today.

I'm sure if you try your best you'll be absolutely fantastic.

Don't worry too much if you haven't studied this topic before.

I'm here to help you every step of the way.

Our title for today's lesson is: "Life in the Arabian Desert," and this sits within the unit: "The Middle East: "How Have Natural Resources Shaped the Middle East?" Our learning outcome for today is that I can explain how people, plants, and animals have adapted to desert life.

To help us through today's lesson, there's a number of keywords that are going to be really useful to us: arid, nomadic, adaptation, oasis, and evaporation.

Arid is a place that receives less than 250 millimetres of precipitation a year.

Nomadic is moving from place to place for resources or survival.

Adaptation are special features that organisms have to help them survive in an environment.

Oasis is a spot of fertile land in a desert where water is found.

And evaporation is the process whereby water turns into vapour.

So arid, nomadic, adaptation, oasis, and evaporation are going to be really useful in today's lesson.

This lesson is split into two learning cycles.

The first: what is life like in the Arabian Desert? And the second: how do plants and animals survive in the desert? We're going to start with our first learning cycle now: what is life like in the Arabian Desert? A desert is an arid location, as it's a place that receives less than 250 millimetres of precipitation a year.

So it means it's really dry.

Sam says, "Deserts can be hot or cold.

"Both the Sahara and Antarctica are both deserts." Jacob says, "Be careful not to add an extra S "and write desserts.

"We are not talking about cake." Really good point, thank you, Jacob.

Now, the Arabian Desert is an example of a hot desert in the Middle East.

It spans 2.

3 million kilometres and is located across Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan.

And it contains the largest continuous sand desert in the world, the Rub al' Khali.

Now, on the map, we can see where the Arabian Desert is located, and the area shaded orange spans across all the countries we've just mentioned and therefore represents the whole of the Arabian Desert.

Now, we can explore the average climate of a place by looking at a climate graph.

This climate graph on the screen is for Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Now, a climate graph shows us different things.

On our left-hand y-axis, we can see temperature in degrees Celsius.

So we can see that the red line on our climate graph represents temperature.

On the right-hand side y-axis, we can see precipitation.

Precipitation is shown in millimetres.

And along our x-axis, we can see that we have months of the year.

So if we were to take a look at our red line per month of the year, we can see that June, July, and August are our warmest months.

On the other hand, April is the month that experiences the most amount of precipitation.

So we can see that there are seasonal variation in both temperature and precipitation throughout the year.

On this slide, we can see that there are four climate graphs from the Arabian Desert.

They each show us how climate varies across the Arabian Desert.

So whilst we know the whole thing is referred to as a desert, we also know that the climate does vary.

I'd like you to pause the video and have a think about what patterns you notice.

Now, hopefully you've picked up that the whole of the Arabian Desert is really hot and it's really dry throughout the whole year.

You may have also seen that further south we have more precipitation, and that's because it's closer to the equator.

So the bottom of the Arabian Desert experiences more precipitation than the top.

But, on the whole, it's still a really dry location.

So the Arabian Desert is generally hot and dry.

Summer temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius, and winter temperatures are mild, averaging only about 20 degrees Celsius.

Most places are arid, receiving less than 250 millimetres of precipitation annually.

But there are seasonal variations in climate, and we saw that on those climate graphs.

In spring, there can be dust storms and sandstorms due to strong winds.

And, in autumn, the temperatures are cooler, making this a really popular time for people all around the world to visit the Arabian Desert.

So let's check your understanding.

Which of the following descriptions best describes the climate in the Arabian Desert? Is it, A, it's generally hot and wet? B, it's generally hot and dry? C, it's generally cold and wet? Or, D, it's generally cold and dry? Pause the video and have a go at answering this question.

Well done if you said B, it's generally hot and dry.

That's absolutely spot on.

Well done, geographers.

Humans have inhabited the Arabian Desert for around 2.

6 million years, since the early Pleistocene times.

Now, this might sound surprising, but in the early Pleistocene, the desert wasn't always as dry as it is today.

During certain periods, the climate was wetter and greener, with rivers, lakes, and vegetation that could support life.

Early humans were able to survive by using the natural resources around them, gathering plants, finding fresh water, and herding animals.

But it was over time when the climate became more arid and the land changed.

Instead of leaving the desert behind, people learned how to live with these new conditions.

This is where we start to see the development of skills and knowledge that help desert communities thrive, such as knowing where to find water, how to raise animals like camels and goats, and how to move from place to place to follow seasonal patterns.

Living in the desert wasn't just about survival, it was about understanding the land, passing down knowledge through generations, and building strong communities that work together.

These roots of desert life continue today, with communities such as the Bedouins carrying forward traditions that stretch back thousands and even millions of years.

But due to the extreme climate and limited availability of natural resources, people who live in the desert cannot live in one place permanently.

They have to move from place to place, and this is called living a nomadic lifestyle.

In the image, we can see nomadic people living in Jordan.

One of the most well-known nomadic communities in the Arabian Desert is the Bedouin community.

Bedouin is an Arabic term meaning desert dweller.

And there you have a painting of a traditional Bedouin family in Syria.

So we're going to have a think about some of the key features of the traditional Bedouin lifestyle.

So we need to start by imagining the vast desert, a place with extreme temperatures, little water, and long distances between towns.

In this challenging environment, the Bedouins have developed a lifestyle that is closely connected to the land, the climate, and one another.

One of the most distinctive features of the traditional Bedouin lifestyle is their homes.

Rather than permanent buildings, tents are used, often made from woven goat hair.

This material is ideal because it's strong, lightweight, and can breathe in hot weather whilst also providing shelter during sandstorms and cold desert nights.

These tents can be packed up quickly, making it really easy to move from place to place quite quickly.

Similarly, animal herding plays a central role in daily life.

Sheep, goats, and camels are raised not just for food and milk, but also for materials like wool and leather.

Camels in particular are incredibly valuable in the desert.

Known as the ships of the desert, they can travel long distances without water and carry heavy loads, making them essential for transport and trade.

Now, traditionally people live and move together in groups known as tribes.

The close-knit communities offer support, protection, and a strong sense of identity.

Moving together across the desert, tribes rely on cooperation and shared knowledge, such as how to find water sources or navigate using the stars.

And, lastly, trade is another key part of Bedouin history.

These communities have long been known as skilled traders, travelling across vast deserts to exchange goods such as spices, textiles, and livestock.

Alongside trade, storytelling has been highly valued.

Traditions are passed down through generations, such as stories, poetries, and songs to help preserve their history, culture, and teach important lessons.

What's remarkable about this is how well adapted it is to the natural environment, using limited resources efficiently whilst creating really strong social bonds and really rich cultural heritage.

But one reason why Bedouin people travel is to find water for drinking and farming.

And a good source of water in a desert is an oasis.

An oasis is a small place of fertile land in desert where water is found.

The largest oasis in the world is called the Al-Ahsa oasis in the east of Saudi Arabia.

So true or false: the climate is too extreme for people to live in the Arabian Desert? Pause the video and have a go at answering this question.

Well done if you said false.

We know that nomadic communities have lived in the Arabian Desert for 2.

6 million years, such as the Bedouin community.

So we're going to practise what you've learned in Learning Cycle 1, and I would like you to complete both parts to Practise Task A.

So, for Part 1, you need to use the climate graphs to describe the climate in the Arabian Desert.

Look for patterns and look at what those climate graphs show you from north to south.

And then for Part 2, I would like you to explain how the limited natural resources in the Arabian Desert influenced the lifestyle of the traditional community that lived there.

Alex says, "Make sure you give examples of the lifestyle, "and then say why they live in this way." Pause the video and have a go at completing Practise Task A.

Well done for giving Practise Task A a really good go, geographers.

Let's check your answers.

Now, for Part 1, you needed to use the climate graphs to describe the climate in the Arabian Desert.

And you might have said something similar to this: "The climate graphs show "that the climate in the Arabian Desert "is extremely hot and dry.

"Climate graphs "from cities like Riyadh, Baghdad, and Abu Dhabi "show that summer temperatures, "particularly from May to September, "often exceed 35 degrees Celsius, "with Baghdad and Abu Dhabi experiencing the highest heat.

"In contrast, winter temperatures, "so from December to February, are much cooler, "ranging from around 10 degrees Celsius "to 20 degrees Celsius, with San'a' being the coolest.

"Rainfall across the region "is very low throughout the year, "with most cities receiving "less than 25 millimetres of precipitation per month.

"Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are especially dry, "while San'a' has a brief wet season in July and August "where rainfall can exceed 100 millimetres.

"Overall, the Arabian Desert "has a typical arid desert climate, "with high temperatures and very little precipitation." And then for Part 2, you needed to think about a traditional community who live in the Arabian Desert and how they're impacted by natural resources.

So we could have said: "The Bedouin community "is a traditional group that lives in the Arabian Desert "where natural resources like water, fertile soil, "and vegetation are very limited.

"This scarcity has greatly influenced their lifestyle.

"Because the desert is hot, dry, "and lacks consistent sources of water and food, "the Bedouins live a nomadic lifestyle, "moving from place to place in search of water "and grazing land for their animals.

"To survive in this harsh environment, "they live in tents made from goat hair, "which are easy to pack and carry.

"They raise animals such as goats, sheep, and camels, "which are well-suited to the desert "and provide essential resources "such as milk, meat, wool, and transport.

"Instead of growing crops, "which is difficult "due to the poor soil and limited rainfall, "they rely on trading "and sharing resources within their tribe "or with other communities.

"The Bedouins have adapted "to the lack of natural resources.

"Their ability to live in such extreme conditions "shows how people can adjust their way of life "to suit the environment around them." So well done if you picked up on those key themes for the second part to Practise Task A.

I'm sure you've done fantastically.

We are now ready to move on to Learning Cycle 2: how do plants and animals survive in the desert? Well done for all your hard work so far, geographers.

So the few plants and animals that do live in the Arabian Desert have special features to help them survive.

These special features are called adaptations.

We can see some common desert plants and animals in the images on the screen.

So let's check your understanding.

What are the special features that help plants and animals survive in extreme environments called? Is it A, habitats, B, ecosystems, C, adaptations, or D, behaviours? Pause the video and have a go at answering this question.

Well done if you said C, adaptations.

That's absolutely spot on.

Adaptations are the special features that help plants and animals survive in extreme environments.

So we're going to have a think about some of the animals that are found in the Arabian Desert.

So camels can be found in the Arabian Desert.

They have different adaptations that help them to survive with the climate there.

So, for example, they store fat in their humps to give them energy.

They do not store water in their humps.

It's really important to remember that.

They have two sets of eyelashes to keep the sand out.

And they also have thicker pads on their feet to help protect them from the heat.

But another animal we can find in the Arabian Desert is fennec foxes.

Now, fennec foxes are nocturnal, so they sleep during the day.

This is to help them avoid the daytime heat.

They also have large ears, as this helps with heat loss and it helps to cool them down.

So the special features that the fennec foxes have help them to survive in the climate in the Arabian Desert.

And, lastly, the Arabian oryx is common.

They have white fur, which helps reflect the sunlight, and they have large spade-shaped feet to help them walk on the hot sand.

We know that there's a lack of precipitation in the Arabian Desert.

So to overcome this, the oryx can absorb moisture from the plants it eats, really impressive, which helps it to stay hydrated.

So all three of these animals are really specially adapted to survive in the Arabian Desert.

So let's check your understanding.

True or false: camels store water in their humps? Pause the video and have a go at answering this question.

Well done, geographers, if you said false.

We know that camels store fat in their humps to help them preserve energy.

Good work.

But plants also have adaptations to help them survive in the desert environment.

One example of a plant that survives there is the date palm, and they have deep roots to collect water.

They also have small leaves to reduce evaporation, so it helps them retain that moisture that they need in order to survive.

Another really well-known desert plant can include the cacti and succulents.

Now, the photo here shows a cactus located in the Americas.

But if we are thinking specifically about the Arabian Desert, succulents have adapted to living there.

Now, cacti and succulents often have a waxy coating on their skin that reduces water loss.

There are many varieties that have spines which reduce water loss and help protect them from predators.

And they also have really long roots that spread far to absorb water before it evaporates.

So we know that they also have really special features that help them to survive in the hostile environment.

And, lastly, we have acacia trees, which can be found in the Arabian Desert.

Acacia trees have long roots that spread really far to help them collect water from further away.

They also have small waxy leaves to reduce water loss.

So for lots of these plants, the main aim is to absorb and retain as much water as possible in an environment where there isn't very much water.

So they have to have these special features to help them.

So let's check your understanding.

Desert plants have adaptations to help them to survive in a hot desert.

I would like you to pause the video and think of one adaptation of a desert plant.

Pause the video now and have a go at that question.

Well done for giving that a good go, geographers.

There's lots you could have said.

So you might have said something along the lines of: "They have a waxy coating on their surface "that reduces water loss." Or, "They have spines or small waxy leaves "which reduce water loss "and protects the plant from predators." Or you might have said, "Their roots spread out widely near the surface "to quickly absorb water from light rains "before it evaporates." So well done if you managed to get one of those adaptations.

That's great work.

So we are now gonna practise what we've learnt about desert plants and animals.

And there are two parts to this practise task.

For the first part, I would like you to list two adaptations of each desert animal, so you can bullet point them underneath the photos.

For Part 2, I would like you to explain why each desert plant has the following adaptations.

So why does the acacia tree have small waxy leaves? And why does the date palm have deep roots? Pause the video and have a go at completing both parts to this practise task.

Well done for giving that a really good go, geographers.

I'm sure you've done superbly, but let's check what you could have said.

So for the camels, you might have said that they have two sets of eyelashes, or they have humps that store fat.

For the fennec fox, you may have said that they are nocturnal and that they have large ears.

And for the Arabian oryx, you might have said that they absorb moisture from plants and they are white in colour.

Well done if you managed to get those spot on.

And then for Part 2, you needed to explain why each desert plant has adaptations.

So for the first one, we could have said: "The acacia tree has small waxy leaves to reduce water loss.

"This is important in the desert, "as it is an arid environment with a limited water supply." And for the second image, you could have said: "The date palm has long roots that grow deep into the ground "because water could be hard to find near the surface "as it quickly evaporates.

"Therefore, the roots can reach underground water sources "such as aquifers and moist soil." Well done for giving that a really good go.

I'm sure you've done excellently and managed to get those spot on.

You've done a really good job today, geographers.

So to summarise this lesson, we have learnt today that the desert has extreme heat and is arid with little precipitation.

Traditional Bedouin tribes live a nomadic lifestyle using camels for transport and relying on oases for water and farming.

Plants and animals have adaptations that help them to survive in the desert.

And natural resources, especially water, are really scarce in the Arabian Desert.

And that is why the plants, animals, and people have to adapt their way of life in order to survive in this extreme environment.

Geographers, you've been absolutely fantastic today, and it's been a pleasure to have you join me for this geography lesson.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, and I will see you soon.