Desert Ecology and the Mega Engineering Sahara Project There are two main types of deserts: hot and dry deserts, and cold deserts. Hot and dry deserts experience temperatures over 45°C and receive less than 5.9 inches of rainfall per year on average. Both plants and animals in deserts have adapted to the harsh climate conditions by storing water and food or avoiding heat. While deserts cover one-fifth of the Earth's surface, they contain unique biomes, and attempting to transform deserts into forests would destabilize the wildlife.

1. Desert Ecology
Mega Engineering Sahara Project
Jules GARCIN, Christophe VITU

2. Desert climate 2
Two types of deserts : Hot and Dry deserts, and cold deserts
For hot and dry deserts, temperature can rise up to
45°C
By average : less than 5,90 in of rainfall every year
Still enough for having aquifer close to the surface
If water pressure is high enough, it can come up to the
surface and create an oasis.

3. Animals and plants from the desert 3
Both plants and animals have adapted to the climate conditions. Either they are able to store water
and food in their bodies, or to avoid the heat. Also bacterias and microbes are able to live in deserts.

4. Stakes of the Mega Engineering Project 4
Deserts cover one fifth of the Earth’s surface
But they have their own biome,
and turning it into a forest will destabilize the wildlife

5. For any question about this subject
• Jules GARCIN : jules.garcin@mines-saint-etienne.org
• Christophe VITU : christophe.vitu@mines-saint-etienne.org
About our school, the École des Mines de
Saint-Etienne :
http://www.mines-stetienne.fr/
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