1. Mojave Desert
Hottest US desert (Death Valley included) up to 130°F and down to 35°F
Only winter rains from California ~5in/yr
Plants – low shrubs, schlerophylous leaves, drop in drought
Dominant Plant – Joshua Tree
Animals, Mojave rattlesnakes, kangaroo mice, scorpions
Recycle water, extract from foods eaten
NW AZ - Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City

2. Mojave Desert

7. Wildflowers-Death Valley 2005

11. Chihuahuan Desert SE AZ - Douglas
Higher elevations drop below freezing in winter, up to 120°F
Plants – shrubs, small cacti, yucca; can store water during extreme seasons
Animals include; ground squirrels, chihuahuan desert whiptailed lizards and rattlesnakes –burrow during the heat
Rains during summer monsoons >10in/yr
SE AZ - Douglas

12. Chihuahuan Desert

17. The desert after an El Nino year

20. Sonoran Desert – our home
Average 50°F in winter, as high as 134°F in summer
Receives the most rain 2 rainy seasons – summer and winter which makes it the greenest desert in the world up to 15in/yr
Dominant Plant – Saguaro Cactus; 2000 other species, withstand high temps, absorb and store water
Animals; Diamondback rattlesnakes, Harris Hawks, Roadrunners, gila monster
Phoenix, Tucson

21. Sonoran Desert

25. The roots of the saguaro are very shallow
The roots of the saguaro are very shallow! They can blow over in a storm.

31. Lots of Mexican poppies and a saguaro cactus

35. Riparian Habitats – along streams and rivers
Many rivers underground, run after winter snowmelts
Most endangered AZ habitat
Rivers dammed, pumped, contaminated
Huge cottonwood trees, fill from flash floods
Animals; frogs, salamanders, birds migrate
Temps 10 degrees cooler here
Major AZ rivers;
San Pedro, Colorado, Salt, Gila

36. Gila River

45. Salt River- rattlesnake crossing

47. Trends to biome location:
Lower elevations tend to be deserts and grassland. Higher elevations tend to be tundra or taiga.
Deserts and grasslands get the least rain. Forests get the most.

48. Why do animals only live in certain places?
The soil type and rain fall determines what plants live in a biome.
The plants determine what animals live in the biome.

49. Cool Places To Visit

50. Lake Powell

51. Bright blue waters against sandstone cliffs.
                                                   
Bright blue waters against sandstone cliffs.

52. Rainbow Bridge
                                   

53. Grand Canyon

54. A great place for adventure or quiet solitude.
                              
                                    

55. Hiking There are hundreds of miles of trails to hike.
Some are more rugged than others.
Bring plenty of water-at least a gallon per person!

56. North Rim-fewer visitors
                                                                                                         

57. Sedona
                                             

58. Red Rock Country
                                                                                 

59. Portal
                                                                 

60. Not well known Great for camping, hiking, and birding.
Not many people travel down this way

61. Chirichahua Mountains

62. Strange Rock Formations
Initially created by volcanic action, these rock formations change shape due to weathering.
                                                                                                         

63. Sunset Crater
                                                                   

64. Great place to see old lava flows up close
                                                                                                         

65. Painted Desert/Petrified Forest
                                                                   

66. Petrified Wood
                                                                   

67. Canyon de Chelly National Monument
                                                                   

68. Remote Beauty
To get to the back areas which are the most beautiful, it requires a guide.
                                              

69. Havasupai Reservation
                                                                                       

70. Havasu waterfall Very beautiful falls
A great reward after a long hike.

71. Ramsey Canyon
                                                        

72. Leaves Galore
One of the best places to see fall colors.

73. Wildlife Viewing Is Excellent
                                                 

74. Which biome are we missing?

81. Temperatures are consistantly high (68°F – 93°F) throughout the year
Precipitation is light but consistent throughout the year (50-260in/yr)
Soil is moist but does not hold many nutrients
Plants have large leaves, shallow roots
Animals live in trees, many insects
There is more biodiversity here than any other place on land
Found near the equator

82. Bibliography Unknown. Desert USA. www.desertusa/mojave.com. (8/5/06)
Unknown. Desert USA. (8/5/06)
Unknown. Madera Canyon Wildlife. (8/7/06)