Definition of deserts
A desert is defined as an area that gets little precipitation, generally less than 10 inches (250 mm) per year. Although deserts are perceived as lifeless areas, most deserts have high biodiversity. Most of the organisms have adapted various means of conserving water, from sophisticated storage mechanisms as in many plants, to methods for avoiding the heat of the day as in most higher organisms.
Currently, one-fifth of the earth's land mass is covered by desert. Deserts experience wide temperature ranges. This is because there is little humidity in the air to hold in heat. When the sun sets, the air cools quickly.
Related Article: The World's Water Supply at Risk
The copyright of the article What is a Desert? in Desert Gardens is owned by Robert Dailey. Permission to republish What is a Desert? must be granted by the author in writing.
