Probably the Sahara desert It will be the most famous in the world. It is a desert area that receives less than 25 cm of rain each year and has little or no vegetation. Deserts are considered useful natural laboratories for studying the interactions of wind and water on the planet's arid surfaces. They contain valuable mineral deposits that have formed in the arid environment and have been exposed by continuous erosion caused by wind and rain.
In this article we are going to tell you all the characteristics, origin, climate, temperatures, flora and fauna of the Sahara desert.
Key features
This is one of the largest deserts in the world and is located in the western part of the African continent. It consists of a large expanse of arid land stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Atlas Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. The origin of this desert dates back millions of years. This entire region was covered by savannas and grasslands, lush with forests. It was the habitat of numerous hunter-gatherers who lived off animals and plants. It is at that time that this area was known as the Green Sahara. Also, if you want to know more about the characteristics of other deserts, you can check out the article on the deserts of the world.
The desert originated because rainfall has not been sufficient to maintain a balance between evaporation caused by the sun's rays and plant transpiration, along with precipitation. Therefore, following a cyclical phenomenon in which dry seasons have accumulated, the lack of humidity has led to increased sunlight exposure.
This desert formed approximately 7 million years ago. The Tethys Sea was located in this area, and its remains gradually dried up. Trade began to be established through this desert using oxen and carts. As mentioned before, at the beginning of time, it was a green forest with savannas and home to a large amount of wildlife. The formation of the largest desert on the planet was quite slow and gradual. It took approximately 6.000 years and ended 2.700 years ago.
It should be noted that with the desertification process threatening most of the planet's soils, these deserts could develop in the long term. Much of Spain is threatened by desertification. Some of the soils could become desert or semi-desert. For more information on this topic, you can read about the risk of desertification in Spain.
Climate and temperature of the Sahara desert
Some of the most unique features of this desert are that it's considered the largest desert in the world. It's also considered one of the driest and has the most extreme temperatures. Very few animals and plants live in these places, as there is no life or nutrients necessary for their survival. In these deserts inhabit the tribes of the Tuarecs and BerbersWe know that the soils in these areas are very low in organic matter, making agriculture unsuitable. The soil's primary composition is gravel, sand, and dunes. This type of soil cannot support sustainable life adapted to these environments. Since the extreme temperature swings between day and night are exaggerated, almost no type of crop can survive.
The climate of the Sahara desert It is characterized by sunny days and cool nights. Rainfall is very rare, and when it occurs, it is brutal. The influence of the ocean in this part of Africa produces higher relative humidity in the atmosphere, so fog is frequent on the desert coasts. If you'd like to learn more about climatology, we invite you to read more. What is the weather like in the desert?.
In terms of temperature, the climate becomes hotter and extremely dry in summer, resulting in impressive temperatures and a significant difference between day and night. The maximum daytime temperature is usually around 46 degrees. On the other hand, at night it can reach temperatures of up to 18 degreesAs you can see, this is a very extreme temperature range. The maritime influence is very noticeable, so the average maximum temperature is 26 degrees along the coast and around 37 degrees inland.
Flora and fauna of the Sahara desert
We know that during the day in this desert, the heat and sunlight are extreme and hit the ground intensely. Temperatures are influenced by both sunlight and humidity. There are no water sources or frequent rainfall, so the heat and humidity are extremeHowever, at night, the temperature can drop considerably; some days it can even feel cold. The skies are clear, so the daytime heat barely subsides. It's also worth noting that, with clear skies, you can see a spectacular stargazing.
The flora and fauna of the Sahara Desert are very scarce given the extreme conditions. Some animals, such as camels and goats, can be found here, which are resistant to these environmental conditions. One of the animals that have adapted very well to these environments is the yellow scorpion.. This is a rather poisonous anthropologist who prays for days not to encounter you along the way. Some species of fox, antelope, dorcas gazelle, and other species are able to survive in this environment. They have undergone numerous adaptation processes over thousands of years. It is common to find some vipers in the field, the African wild dog, some crocodiles, and the silver-billed African songbird.
As for flora, vegetation is very scarce due to the limited availability of water. Virtually no vegetation is found. The few plants that exist have managed to adapt to the environment and, therefore, seek to reduce the rate of evaporation and increase water absorption. This is why the few plants that exist have very small leaves and tissues and very long roots. Thus, they accumulate water, and their tissues and leaves are coated in wax. For example, we find plants such as the roses of Jericho, the Cystanche, the zilla, and the apple tree of Sodom. If you are interested in learning how plants survive in conditions like these, you can visit the article on how plants survive in the desert.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the Sahara desert and its characteristics.