Desert Ecosystem-Characteristics, Composition, Types, Factors, Adaptation, and Examples

Deserts are some of the driest ecosystems on Earth. They have been described as being “the least hospitable environment” due to their extreme dryness. These environments are characterized by low rainfall, high temperatures, and little vegetation.

There are many different types of deserts, including arid deserts, semi-arid deserts, hyper-arid deserts, steppe deserts, and salt deserts.

In a desert ecosystem, the food chain shows the transfer of energy and nutrients through different trophic levels, from primary producers like plants and cacti to herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers.

Desert Ecosystem

The driest ecosystem with less than 30cm (10 inches) of annual rain is called a desert, Common deserts have widely spaced vegetation. They have a large area of bare grounds.

Deserts are prime examples of natural ecosystems, characterized by their unique and harsh environmental conditions, such as low precipitation, high temperatures, and sparse vegetation, which have shaped the distinctive adaptations and biodiversity found within these barren landscapes.

Characteristics of Desert Ecosystem

A desert ecosystem is an ecosystem that is characterized by its extreme aridity, sparse vegetation, and harsh living conditions. It has following particular characteristics:

Low rainfall

Deserts are known for their low levels of rainfall. In fact, some deserts receive less than 25 mm of rain per year, making them one of the driest places on Earth.

Extreme temperatures

The temperature in deserts can vary greatly between day and night, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 40°C and dropping to below freezing at night.

Sparse vegetation

Due to the lack of rainfall and extreme temperatures, vegetation in deserts is often limited to plants that are adapted to survive in these conditions, such as cacti and succulents.

Adapted wildlife

Desert animals have evolved special adaptations to help them survive in this harsh environment. Some examples include the ability to store water, camouflage, and burrow underground to avoid the heat.

Structure and Function of Desert Ecosystem

The structure and function of a desert ecosystem are shaped by the extreme aridity and harsh living conditions of this environment. Here are some key components of a desert ecosystem and their functions:

Producers in the desert ecosystem

The main producers in desert ecosystems are plants such as cacti and succulents. These plants have adapted to the lack of water by storing water in their tissues or having long roots that can reach underground water sources.

Consumers in the desert ecosystem

Desert ecosystems have a variety of consumers, including herbivores such as rodents and reptiles, as well as carnivores such as snakes and birds of prey. These animals have adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert by being able to survive on limited resources, such as water and food.

Decomposers in the desert ecosystem

Decomposers are important in any ecosystem, including deserts. In the desert, decomposers break down dead plant and animal matter, releasing nutrients back into the soil for use by plants and other organisms.

Abiotic factors in the desert ecosystem

Abiotic factors, such as temperature, water availability, and soil type, play an important role in shaping the structure and function of desert ecosystems. For example, the lack of water in the desert limits the growth of plants and the availability of food for animals.

Types of Desert Ecosystem

There are different types of desert ecosystems:

Hot and dry deserts

These deserts are the most well-known type, and they are characterized by high temperatures and very low rainfall. The Sahara Desert in Africa and the Mojave Desert in North America are examples of hot and dry deserts.

Semi-arid deserts

These deserts receive slightly more rainfall than hot and dry deserts, but still have long periods of drought. The Chihuahuan Desert in North America and the Great Victoria Desert in Australia are examples of semi-arid deserts.

Coastal deserts

These deserts are found along the coastlines of continents, where cool ocean currents create dry conditions. The Namib Desert in Africa and the Atacama Desert in South America are examples of coastal deserts.

Cold deserts

These deserts are characterized by cold temperatures and low precipitation. They are typically found at high elevations or in polar regions. The Gobi Desert in Asia and the Great Basin Desert in North America are examples of cold deserts.

Polar deserts

These deserts are found in the polar regions, where the extremely cold temperatures limit plant growth. The Antarctic and Arctic deserts are examples of polar deserts.

Interactions between organisms in the desert ecosystem

Interactions between organisms in the desert ecosystem are complex and varied. Due to the harsh conditions of the desert, organisms have developed unique adaptations to help them survive, and these adaptations can affect how they interact with other species. Here are some examples of interactions that occur in the desert ecosystem:

Predation

 Predation is a common interaction in the desert ecosystem, with carnivores such as snakes, birds of prey, and coyotes preying on herbivores such as rodents and lizards. Predators play an important role in regulating the population of prey species and ensuring a balance in the ecosystem.

Mutualism

Mutualism is a type of interaction where both species benefit. In the desert ecosystem, examples of mutualism include the relationship between some plants and pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds, as well as the relationship between some plants and ants, where the ants protect the plant from herbivores in exchange for food.

Competition

Competition occurs when two or more species require the same resources, such as water or food. In the desert ecosystem, competition can be intense due to the limited availability of resources. For example, different species of cacti may compete for water or nutrients in the soil.

Parasitism: Parasitism is a type of interaction where one species benefits at the expense of another. In the desert ecosystem, examples of parasitism include parasitic plants that obtain nutrients from host plants and parasites such as ticks and fleas that feed on the blood of other animals.

Commensalism

Commensalism is a type of interaction where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. In the desert ecosystem, examples of commensalism include birds nesting in cacti, which provides them with protection from predators, while the cactus is unaffected.

Location In World

These biomes are found on every continent. These are present around 20° to 30° north and south latitudes. Deserts are also found in the rain shadows of major mountain ranges. Desert has a variety of environment. The extreme form of deserts is Sahara or Chile. There is no rain in these deserts. So there is no vegetation in these deserts.

Rainfall: Less than 25 to 50 cm (10-20 inches) or not at all.

Plant life: The plants are planted by hand. So the plants are often evenly spaced (The perennial plants are bushes or cacti). These plants have large shallow root systems.

Desert Ecosystem Animals Examples

Following animals can be found in desert ecosystems:

1. Camels
2. Desert tortoise
3. Gila monster
4. Coyote
5. Roadrunner
6. Sidewinder rattlesnake
7. Fennec fox
8. Dromedary jumping spider
9. Arabian oryx
10. Scorpions
11. Sand cat
12. Jackrabbits
13. Kangaroo rat
14. Vultures
15. Bighorn sheep
16. Caracal
17. Tarantulas
18. Addax
19. Meerkat
20. Horned lizard

Adaptations In Plants

(a) Plants are covered with a waterproof waxy coating. It prevents the evaporation of water.

(b) Water is stored in the thick stem of cacti and other succulent parts of the plant.

(c) There is a variety of ways to conserve water in desert plants. Cacti and Euphorbia have fleshy stems for the storage of water. Water is stored during the period of drought.

Adaptations In Animals

Animals: The animals are specially adapted to survive on little water. The animals live in cool-ground burrows. These burrows give them relief from the sun and heat. Therefore, most deserts are without animal life during day time.

(a) The desert cools down at night. Thus the horned lizards, snakes, and other reptiles come segments out for feeding.

(b) Mammals like a kangaroo, rats, and birds like burrowing owls also come out at night for feeding.

(c) Most of the smaller animals survive without drinking water.

(d) Large animals like desert bighorn sheep and camels depend on permanent water holes during the driest times of the year.

Threats to Desert Ecosystem

The desert ecosystem faces various threats that are disturbing its balance. Here are some factors that desert ecosystem have to face:

• Climate change
• habitat destruction
• invasive species
• water scarcity
• Over grazing
• Improper managment of water

Human Impact

Desertification: The spreading of the desert to green areas is called desertification. Human activities are reducing many biomes. So they are spreading deserts. This process is called desertification.

Example: Sahel

Desertification is occurring in the Sahel. The Sahel is present at the borders of the southern edge of the Sahara desert in Africa. There was below-average rainfall for twenty-five years. There is also rapid growth of the human population in the Sahel. Thus desert is spreading southward.

The Sahel is an example of an overpopulation of humans. This population is exceeding the carrying capacity of the land. So there is a massive loss of productivity in the ecosystem. This loss of productivity is irreversible. Therefore famines occurred in this area. The famine in Ethiopia in the mid-1980s gave tragic results.