Desert ecosystems are one of the most extreme and diverse ecosystems of them all. Everything from the harsh climate changes, the animal inhabitants, and their creation make them the most unique. Even though this ecosystem is very intimidating it is very week. In this report we will try to explain everything there is to know about this very different ecosystem.
             The single factor that distinguishes desert ecosystems from other biomes is the minimal amount of rainfall received annually (no more than 10 inches). Most deserts lie between the latitudes of 15° and 35° on each side of the earth's equator. These latitudes are in zones of high atmospheric pressure. These high pressure zones are created by the way the air moves over the earth. At the equator where temperatures are high, air becomes warm and rises. As the air rises, it cools and releases moisture over regions near the equator. In time, the air descends over areas that extend between 15° and 35° both north and south of the equator. As it descends, it becomes warm and dry. This warm air causes desert conditions. The Sahara and several other great deserts lie in this region.
             Regions separated from an ocean by mountains also tend to be dry. A moist wind blowing inland from an ocean loses its moisture as it rises over mountains and becomes cool. As the wind descends on the side of the mountains facing land, it becomes warm and dry. This warm air creates a rain shadow, or dry area. The North American deserts developed partly because of the rain-shadow effect. Cold ocean currents flowing next to a continent can cause deserts to form in areas along the coast. Deserts form because the cool winds that blow across the cold water and onto the land can carry little moisture. The Atacama Desert in South America is an example of such a desert. A change in climate can cause changes in the location and extent of deserts. During the last few thousand years, many de
             ...