Download Desert Biogeography Lab

Desert Biogeography Lab
Adaptations of Sonoran Desert Plants to Heat/Aridity
The Sonoran Desert falls into a category of deserts referred to as Tropical-Subtropical
Desertlands. These areas all lie near the Tropic of Cancer or Capricorn, and owe their
aridity to warm dry subsiding airflow associated with subtropical high pressure. In
addition, these deserts have westerly airflow that has steered maritime air masses over
mountains or cold ocean currents before arriving depleted of moisture. The Sonoran
Desert contains many plant species which have evolved from members of more humid
tropical biomes to the south. These plants have a variety of adaptations that enable them
to live in conditions far more arid than their progenitor species. This lab is designed to be
completed at the demonstration garden at the Glendale Public Library.
What are the three main adaptive strategies used by desert plants to survive aridity?
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
Succulence
What are three ways in which succulent plants are adapted to arid conditions?
What is the most common group of succulents in the Sonoran Desert?
How many cacti species are there in the world? In the Sonoran Desert?
What are some of the characteristics that identify a cactus?
What are the three large columnar cacti of Arizona and how can you identify
them?
What are the other major genera of cacti in Arizona and what do they look like?
Agaves and Yuccas belong to what plant family?
What type of succulents are they?
Drought Tolerance
How are drought tolerant plants adapted to arid conditions?
What is the major drought tolerant shrub in Arizona?
What family of plant has large numbers of drought tolerant genera and species?
What are these genera and how can one recognize them?
Drought Evasion
How do drought evaders tolerate arid conditions?
What types of plants are drought evaders?
When during the year do these plants germinate and grow?
What part of Arizona has many of these plants?
What are some other drought tolerant strategies discussed today that help desert
plants survive aridity?