Desert

Deserts are hot, arid regions that receive very little rainfall. They are home to a variety of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions. Some desert animals, such as the camel, can go without water for long periods of time. Others, such as the kangaroo rat, never drink water at all.

Deserts are found on every continent except Europe. The largest desert in the world is the Sahara, which covers much of North Africa. Other deserts include the Arabian Desert, the Gobi Desert, and the Mojave Desert.

Desert ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment in arid regions. Deserts are defined as areas where evapotranspiration (the sum of water vapor loss from the soil surface and from vegetation) exceeds precipitation. The word "desert" can also refer to extreme conditions such as the coldest or hottest places on Earth.

The desert environment is characterized by scarce water resources, high temperatures, and extreme changes in temperature between day and night. Plants and animals in deserts have adapted to these conditions in a variety of ways, such as by developing mechanisms to conserve water.

Desert ecosystems are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including cacti, lizards, and kangaroo rats. The ecology of deserts is also of great importance to humans, as these areas are source of important resources such as oil and gas.