Plants
Alfalfa
The Alfalfa, also known as the Medicago Sativa (or Lucerne) is a tall plant, which mainly grows in hot, desert-like places. Its roots, which stretch over 20 meters under are its main source of nutrition, as they find water hidden deep in the ground. It doesn’t take long for it to grow back when taken down by wild animals, but can live in the hot temperature for many years.
The Alfalfa, also known as the Medicago Sativa (or Lucerne) is a tall plant, which mainly grows in hot, desert-like places. Its roots, which stretch over 20 meters under are its main source of nutrition, as they find water hidden deep in the ground. It doesn’t take long for it to grow back when taken down by wild animals, but can live in the hot temperature for many years.
Adenium
The Adenium is a desert rose that grows in groups of the same plant. The reason behind why they are called the “desert rose” is because they are in constant need of sunlight, or in other words they are unable to survive in the cold. Their main water source comes from their stems, which absorb rain every time it rains.
The Adenium is a desert rose that grows in groups of the same plant. The reason behind why they are called the “desert rose” is because they are in constant need of sunlight, or in other words they are unable to survive in the cold. Their main water source comes from their stems, which absorb rain every time it rains.
The Date Palm
Date Palms (also known as Phoenix Dactylifera) are plants that grow all over the Arabian Desert. It is probably the most common plant you would find there! These palms usually grow near an oasis in the desert and reach over 70 feet in height, making it easier for them to grow long roots that find water. Many of you probably know fruits by the name of “dates”, well this tree is actually what grows them and they are later eaten by us, as well as animals living in the habitat.
Date Palms (also known as Phoenix Dactylifera) are plants that grow all over the Arabian Desert. It is probably the most common plant you would find there! These palms usually grow near an oasis in the desert and reach over 70 feet in height, making it easier for them to grow long roots that find water. Many of you probably know fruits by the name of “dates”, well this tree is actually what grows them and they are later eaten by us, as well as animals living in the habitat.
The Ghaf Tree
The Ghaf Tree, also known as Prosopis Cineraria is an interesting plant, as it doesn’t need a lot of water to live. Its roots go as deep as 30 meters, and throughout all the desert drought, it still manages to stay green and alive.
The Ghaf Tree, also known as Prosopis Cineraria is an interesting plant, as it doesn’t need a lot of water to live. Its roots go as deep as 30 meters, and throughout all the desert drought, it still manages to stay green and alive.
The Caper Plant
The Caper plant (Capparis Spinosa) is a common thorn bush that unlike the other plants, can not only survive in extremely hot temperatures, but in the cold as well. They require much less water, making it easier for them to keep on blooming all year round.
The Caper plant (Capparis Spinosa) is a common thorn bush that unlike the other plants, can not only survive in extremely hot temperatures, but in the cold as well. They require much less water, making it easier for them to keep on blooming all year round.
Adaptations
Click on the images above to see what they are!
Succulence
The first adaptation is the most common for plants in desert biomes and that would have to be succulence. This is where plants have really long roots that stretch as far as over 4 inches; these roots desperately look for water underground, which appears every once in a while through one of the deserts’ few rainfalls, making it easier for the plant to stay alive. The water storage of succulent plants is in their leaves or stems and they must be able to hold and absorb large amounts of water for a long time for them to survive. An example of a succulent plant is Aloe Vera and Malabar Spinach.
You may have wondered at some point: why do cacti, and some other plants growing in the desert have such long spikes? This is because since the desert is dry, animals who are constantly looking for a water supply like to take the water stored in the succulents’ leaves/stems and use it to hydrate themselves. The sharp spikes help keep them away, so that the plants can continue on living, keeping the water for its own purposes.
Xerophytes and Drought Tolerance
The second common adaptation desert plants have is called drought tolerance. Plants with this adaptation are also known as xerophytes, meaning they are naturally adapted to the heat; they can tolerate the constant hot weather. This is where they absorb a really small amount of water (because they don't need that much of it to live) from, again, one of few desert rainfalls. When talking about the Arabian Desert, most plants are actually known to be xeorophytic, so in our case, it is the most important adaptation to know about. An example of a drought tolerable plant is the caper plant.
Ephemeral Life-Cycle
Plants with an ephemeral life-cycle also have a very effective adaptation, meaning they only live for one season (such as spring or fall) and then die. The way this works is the ephemeral plant drop their “offspring” before dying so that it can quickly reproduce throughout the good season. This keeps the plant from going fully extinct, as well as constantly reproducing during the best couple of months (those that have more rainfalls). An example of an ephemeral plant is the Bloodroot and Thale Cress.
The first adaptation is the most common for plants in desert biomes and that would have to be succulence. This is where plants have really long roots that stretch as far as over 4 inches; these roots desperately look for water underground, which appears every once in a while through one of the deserts’ few rainfalls, making it easier for the plant to stay alive. The water storage of succulent plants is in their leaves or stems and they must be able to hold and absorb large amounts of water for a long time for them to survive. An example of a succulent plant is Aloe Vera and Malabar Spinach.
You may have wondered at some point: why do cacti, and some other plants growing in the desert have such long spikes? This is because since the desert is dry, animals who are constantly looking for a water supply like to take the water stored in the succulents’ leaves/stems and use it to hydrate themselves. The sharp spikes help keep them away, so that the plants can continue on living, keeping the water for its own purposes.
Xerophytes and Drought Tolerance
The second common adaptation desert plants have is called drought tolerance. Plants with this adaptation are also known as xerophytes, meaning they are naturally adapted to the heat; they can tolerate the constant hot weather. This is where they absorb a really small amount of water (because they don't need that much of it to live) from, again, one of few desert rainfalls. When talking about the Arabian Desert, most plants are actually known to be xeorophytic, so in our case, it is the most important adaptation to know about. An example of a drought tolerable plant is the caper plant.
Ephemeral Life-Cycle
Plants with an ephemeral life-cycle also have a very effective adaptation, meaning they only live for one season (such as spring or fall) and then die. The way this works is the ephemeral plant drop their “offspring” before dying so that it can quickly reproduce throughout the good season. This keeps the plant from going fully extinct, as well as constantly reproducing during the best couple of months (those that have more rainfalls). An example of an ephemeral plant is the Bloodroot and Thale Cress.
Symbiosis
Parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism are all forms of symbiosis. Parasitism is when one animal benfits and the other is harmed, mutualism occurs when both animals benefit, and commensalism is when one animals benefits and the other doesn't get affected.
Examples:
Parasitism – Animals, looking for water in the desert eat the cacti (containing water in the stem and/or leaves), therefore harming it and benefiting themselves by getting hydrated.
Mutualism – Bees that pollinate the cacti help keep the cactus alive, as well as benefitting themselves in the process (using the pollen for food).
Commensalism – The Cactus Wren builds its nest on top of the Cholla Cactus, keeping its eggs protected from predators (the spikes on the cactus keep them away) and not harming or affecting the cactus, whatsoever.
Mutualism – Bees that pollinate the cacti help keep the cactus alive, as well as benefitting themselves in the process (using the pollen for food).
Commensalism – The Cactus Wren builds its nest on top of the Cholla Cactus, keeping its eggs protected from predators (the spikes on the cactus keep them away) and not harming or affecting the cactus, whatsoever.
Click on the images below to see what symbiosis group they belong to!
Species at Risk
The Arabian Desert is home to many endangered plants and is even one of the places with the most plant species at risk of extinction. For example, the Iris Albicans is one of hundreds that is close to being completely gone there! The reason behind why so many plants are going endangered is because of urbanisation; people have started taking over plant habitats and replacing them with homes and houses.
As technology advances, more and more wildlife is being destroyed, making it much harder for these plants to reproduce and grow.
As technology advances, more and more wildlife is being destroyed, making it much harder for these plants to reproduce and grow.
Invasive Species
Energy Pyramid
An Energy Pyramid shows the trophic levels within a certain biome. In this case, the bottom of the pyramid, we have examples of the producers; those that produce energy for the rest of the organisms (Silver Cholla Cactus, Date Palm, and Alfalfa). The second trophic level shows the primary consumers, otherwise known as herbivores (Desert Tortoise, Kangaroo Rat, and Horned Lizard). Trophic level 3 show animals that are the omnivores, those that eat plants and other animals (Rosy Boa, Bobcat, and Desert Iquana), and lastly the Tertiary level, which is the top animals on the energy chain (Arabian Wolf, Striped Hyena, and Sandcat).