The hot and dry conditions in this region allow very little vegetation to grow.
The plants that grow here obtain and conserve water in various ways.
The cactus is the most common vegetation that is found here. It has short roots near the ground surface so that it quickly absorbs the morning dew before it evaporates. It stores water in its fleshy stem.
In the cactus plant, the leaves are modified into spines. By thus reducing the leaf surface, water is conserved. The spines also protect the the plant from animals. Moisture is conserved in the stems which then become thick and succulent.
The ..... ...... in Arlzona, USA is well known for its fleshy and thorny plants sucn as glant saguaro, cholla and other varletles of cactl and yucca.
Animals that can survive with very little water ilve here. The desert fox, gazelles, scorpions, lizards, rattle snakes and various kinds of insects are found here.
In deserts, the rate of evaporation exceeds rainfall. They get less than 25 cm of rain per year. Deserts also experience huge temperature fluctuations. The low humidity during the day allows more than 90% of the sun's heat to reach the ground. As such, day temperatures can be as high as 48