Vegetation in Hot Deserts
Hot desert environments often look barren, desolate and lifeless, however other than the sand sea
areas that are constantly mobile, arid and semi-arid areas have a remarkable diversity of plants.
Plants are usually ground-hugging shrubs or short woody trees. However, even in the least
hospitable, arid environments, vegetation cover remains sparse, and depending on the temperature
and rainfall
Net primary productivity values can range from 0 to 120/g/m^2/year
The limited availability of water, extreme temperatures (in terms of heat and range) and intense
constant sunlight during the day, mean that plants have developed a range of physical and
behavioural adaptations in order to:
Maximise us of, and limit the loss of moisture
Store moisture in their stem or leaves
Procure water with extensive and/or deep root systems
Respond rapidly to sporadic rainfall followed by rapid life cyc
Type Of Vegetation
Plant Name Characteristics Examples
Xerophytes Succulent plants, or Cacti
xerophytes contain
compounds or cells in fleshy The roots of the 12-18m high
leaves, stems or roots where Saguaro cactus can extend
they can store water. horizontally to the same
distance as the height of the
Adaptations are usually due plant. The 60 cm-tall Cholla
to the low water availability cacti lives in extremely arid
conditions and has roots that
Root hairs grow quickly on extend up to nine metres.
fibrous roots when there is
rain- so that water vapour can Bitter Melon
be trapped and form dew
Spines- these provide shade
and are prevent excess
evaporation. White dense
Hot desert environments often look barren, desolate and lifeless, however other than the sand sea
areas that are constantly mobile, arid and semi-arid areas have a remarkable diversity of plants.
Plants are usually ground-hugging shrubs or short woody trees. However, even in the least
hospitable, arid environments, vegetation cover remains sparse, and depending on the temperature
and rainfall
Net primary productivity values can range from 0 to 120/g/m^2/year
The limited availability of water, extreme temperatures (in terms of heat and range) and intense
constant sunlight during the day, mean that plants have developed a range of physical and
behavioural adaptations in order to:
Maximise us of, and limit the loss of moisture
Store moisture in their stem or leaves
Procure water with extensive and/or deep root systems
Respond rapidly to sporadic rainfall followed by rapid life cyc
Type Of Vegetation
Plant Name Characteristics Examples
Xerophytes Succulent plants, or Cacti
xerophytes contain
compounds or cells in fleshy The roots of the 12-18m high
leaves, stems or roots where Saguaro cactus can extend
they can store water. horizontally to the same
distance as the height of the
Adaptations are usually due plant. The 60 cm-tall Cholla
to the low water availability cacti lives in extremely arid
conditions and has roots that
Root hairs grow quickly on extend up to nine metres.
fibrous roots when there is
rain- so that water vapour can Bitter Melon
be trapped and form dew
Spines- these provide shade
and are prevent excess
evaporation. White dense
