5. 1. Name 10 countries that are subject to either
high or very high vulnerability.
2. Is there a pattern?
6. Characteristics & Vulnerability of
dryland ecosystems
• Despite being marginal, drylands are extremely
significant. High levels of biodiversity and home to
rare plants and animal species.
• Dryland plants are used in medicines , resins, waxes
and oils. They provide the basis for one third of all
the plant derived medicines in USA.
• Drylands are vulnerable to desertification due to
their fragile soils and sparse coverage of
vegetation. Climatic conditions are also tough in
dryland ecosystems.
• Drylands can be classified as semi arid (300-
600mm rain/yr), arid (0-300mm) or hyper arid,
according to the FAO.
7. Characteristics & Vulnerability of
dryland ecosystems
• Turn to p312, make notes as you read
through;
– Four main ecosystems in dryland
ecosystems
– Ecosystems are adapted to low rainfall.
Desert in bloom here Boabab & acacia
photos
– Dry periods may spell further problems
from human intervention.
– Copy out the diagram, describing adaptation
