FLORA:
Dominant vegetation includes desert grasses, cacti, Yucca plants,
prickly pears, turpentine bush etc. Must be self sufficient and
able to handle the harsh weather conditions.
prickly pears, turpentine bush etc. Must be self sufficient and
able to handle the harsh weather conditions.
FAUNA:
1) Desert Cottontail
· Found in Western United States
· Grayish brown fur, with a white underbelly
· Survives by eating desert grass, herbs, and cacti
· Is able to go long periods of time without water by reingesting its own feces
· Lives in underground burrows (not connected to family)
· Found in Western United States
· Grayish brown fur, with a white underbelly
· Survives by eating desert grass, herbs, and cacti
· Is able to go long periods of time without water by reingesting its own feces
· Lives in underground burrows (not connected to family)
FAUNA:
2) Rattlesnake
· Native to the Americas
· Secondary Consumer, feeding off of small animals such as birds or rodents.
· Kill prey with venom from two fangs located in the mouth.
· Venom causes paralysis, internal bleeding, and intense pain
· When threatened the “rattle” at the end of their tale shakes violently
· Native to the Americas
· Secondary Consumer, feeding off of small animals such as birds or rodents.
· Kill prey with venom from two fangs located in the mouth.
· Venom causes paralysis, internal bleeding, and intense pain
· When threatened the “rattle” at the end of their tale shakes violently
ADAPTATIONS:Flora:
* One specific flora to adapt to its desert habitat is the cactus. Instead of producing leaves, desert cacti produce stems and a spine capable of holding and storing enough water to survive.
Fauna:
* One specific animal to adapt to its habitat is the Desert Cottontail. This rabbit reingests it’s own feces to obtain enough water to sustain itself through the desert conditions.
FOOD CHAIN:
* Producers: Prickly Pears, Cacti, Turpentine Bush, and Brittle Brush
* Primary Consumers: Rabbits, Squirrels, Antelope, and Lizards
* Secondary Consumers: Rattlesnakes, Scorpions, Hawk, Fox
* Decomposers: Bacteria, Worms, and Beetles
* Primary Consumers: Rabbits, Squirrels, Antelope, and Lizards
* Secondary Consumers: Rattlesnakes, Scorpions, Hawk, Fox
* Decomposers: Bacteria, Worms, and Beetles
NPP/GPP:
Both NPP and GPP are very low when compared to other biomes specifically with NPP being below 200.
BIODIVERSITY:
Biodiversity of deserts is much lower than that of other biomes, as the harsh conditions only allow for the most adaptable plants and animals to survive.