Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes the flora and fauna found in desert ecosystems?

1. Desert ecosystems are characterized by a lack of biodiversity due to harsh environmental conditions.
2. Plants in deserts, known as xerophytes, are adapted to survive with minimal water and tolerate drought.
3. The Saguaro cactus in the Sonoran desert is an example of a typically tall desert plant.
4. Asian deserts generally support more vegetation than North American deserts.

• A. 2, 3
• B. 1, 3
• C. 1 only
• D. 3 only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 2, 3

• Deserts display an unexpectedly large amount of biodiversity, with plants and animals show-ing interesting ways of adapting to lack of water and extreme temperatures.

• The amount and type of vegetation varies from desert to desert, with North American deserts supporting more vegetation than Asian deserts.

• Plants are usually low in height, although the Saguaro cactus in the Sonoran desert is almost tree-like in height

• Most plants in the deserts are xerophytes that cansurvive with very little water and can with-stand long periods of drought.