AUSTRALIAN DESERTS

WHAT IS A DESERT? A desert is defined as a dry, often

sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.

Not all deserts are hot. Some of the worlds largest deserts, such as The Gobi Desert in Mongolia, reach temperatures of -40 degrees.

AUSTRALIAS DESERTS After Antarctica, Australia is

the driest continent on Earth. About 35% of the land is desert

Australian deserts are found in central and western Australia

Australia’s deserts are ‘hot’ deserts, with extremes of temperature (50° Celsius during the day and below 0° at night)

Rainfall is usually below 130 millimeters or there may be no rain at all.

AUSTRALIAS MAJOR DESERTS

WHAT CAUSES DESERTS IN AUSTRALIA? The Great Dividing Range

This chain of mountains which runs along the east coast from north to south, blocks rainfall and moisture from the Pacific Ocean causing the inland of Australia to be mostly scrubland and desert.

WHY ARE DESERTS IMPORTANT? Deserts can be found on every single continent,

and even though they lack water, they play an important role in helping animals, humans and the environment. Environment for plant & animal species Mineral Wealth Medical application Archeological discoveries Carbon sinks

FAUNA OF THE DESERT Many animals are nocturnal, only

coming out at night to eat. Some animals never drink, getting their

water from seeds and plants. Because of their special adaptations

many animals are vulnerable to changes to their environment.

DESERT VEGETATION As plants lose water through their

leaves, desert plants have small/thin leaves, or are covered in wax/fine hairs or have powdery surfaces.

Plants are the beginning of the food chain and are vital to the health of desert ecosystems.

WHY ARE DESERTS AT RISK? Land clearing, changing climate and

the introduction of exotic plants and animals are endangering this ecosystem.