Hot and dry deserts, such as the Sonoran Desert
of Arizona and northwestern Mexico, are warm year-round with an extreme
range of diurnal (daily) temperatures because of low humidity. Brief but
heavy storms may occur seasonally. Soil is hard and rocky. Burrowing
mammals, insects and reptiles are the main fauna. The Great Sandy Desert
of Australia and the Sahara of north Africa fall under this category.
Semi-Arid
Semi-arid
deserts, such as the Great Basin of Nevada and western Utah, have long
dry summers plus winter rainfall. Dew fall may exceed rainfall. Soil is
sandy and rocky, and may include “caliche” (pans of calcium carbonate).
Fauna is consistent with hot and dry deserts.
