A semi-arid climate is the climate of a region that receives little to no rain and is humid, but not extremely.
The Climate of Semi-Arid Deserts
Considering that semi-arid deserts are located along the equator, the climate is dry and humid with little to no rain. The temperature can go as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the night, but the average temperatures in semi-arid deserts ranges from 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. The average rainfall usually amounts to 2-4 centimeters annually.
The Life in a Semi-Arid Desert
The primary vegetation of semi-arid deserts are small shrubs and cacti, with scattered flowers. Some examples include; white thorn, catclaw, mesquite, and brittlebush. The reason these can survive is that they don't need as much water as other plants need.
Don't forget about the animals that live in a semi-arid desert! The small shrubs attract grazing animals such as wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, gazelle, deer, and bison. And the herbivores attract carnivores such as coyotes, jackals, hyenas, lions, and wolves, jackals, hyenas, lions, and wolves.
The Food Web of a Semi-Arid Desert
The primary producers of the semi-arid desert are the plants, then come the small herbivore after them come the small carnivores, and finally the large carnivores.
Human Threats to a Semi-Arid Desert
The main human treat to semi-arid deserts are military activities, with their off road vehicles and other training, it causes extensive damage to the delicate desert surface. Another threat to the biome is mining activity, though this doesn't affect them very much. And finally, climate change can effect the semi-arid desert but the effects are likely to be felt the hardest in desert margins and in desert montane areas, as these are where the principal arid rangelands are located.
You can save the semi-arid desert by using only designated off road vehicles, or finding somewhere else to train!
Credits:
Created with images by Unsplash - "stone arch geology formation"