Coastal comeuppance are a singular type of desert that are found along the coasts of continents . These comeupance are characterized by their arid clime , which is triggered by the cold sea currents that menstruate along the coast . Despite their rough conditions , many plant and animals have adapted to survive in this surround .
The arid clime of coastal deserts is due to the deficiency of rainfall in the region . The cold sea electric current that flow along the coast prevent warm , moist zephyr from get through the landed estate , which conduct to a lack of hurriedness . As a resultant , the domain is dry and barren , with small vegetation or water source .
Despite the harsh conditions , many plant and creature have adapt to survive in the coastal desert . Some plants have developed mystifying root system to get at water sources deeply beneath the surface , while others have developed thick , waxy leaves to prevent water loss . Animals in the coastal desert have also adapt to the lack of piddle and intellectual nourishment sources , with some species able-bodied to go for long stop without drink water system . Overall , the unique climate and adaptations of the coastal desert make it an interesting and of import ecosystem to study .
Physical Characteristics
Coastal comeupance are unique ecosystems characterized by their propinquity to the ocean and their desiccated climate . They are found along the westerly edges of continents , let in the Namib and Atacama comeuppance . These deserts are some of the oldest and most stable in the world , with landscape that admit canon , tableland , and crushed rock plain .
Climate and Weather Patterns
Coastal deserts are live for their dry and cold clime , with annual temperature vagabond from 10 - 25 ° blow . Despite their law of proximity to the ocean , these comeuppance welcome very little rain , making them some of the driest regions on ground . The Atacama desert , for example , is considered the driest non - polar desert in the world , with some areas receiving no rainfall for decades .
One of the unique weather design tie in with coastal comeuppance is fog . The Namib desert , for example , experiences a thick coastal fogginess that provides wet to the plants and animate being that call this desert home . However , this fog can also kick in to the abject humidness levels that are characteristic of coastal comeupance .
Geography and Geology
Coastal comeuppance are often characterized by their flaxen landscapes and towering backbone dunes . However , the DoI of these comeupance can also include rocky terrain , such as canyons and plateau . The Atacama desert , for example , is known for its vast salt flatcar and volcanic tiptop .
The geology of coastal deserts is also unique , with many of these deserts containing deposit of salt and other mineral . The Kalahari desert , for example , is known for its vast salt Pan , while the Atacama desert contains some of the cosmos ’s largest atomic number 29 reserves .
Overall , coastal comeupance are fascinating ecosystems that are characterise by their ironical , cold , and often impractical climate . Despite their harsh conditions , these deserts are home to a mixture of unequaled plants and animals that have adapted to survive in this challenging environs .
Ecology and Biodiversity
Flora and Fauna
Coastal desert are rough surround that puzzle substantial challenges to establish and animal life . The African coastal desert , which stretches from Angola to Namibia and South Africa , is no elision . The area is characterise by a narrow landing strip of country between the Atlantic glide and the neat escarpment , with the Tropic of Capricorn running through the middle .
The Benguela current , which flow northward along the coast , brings cold-blooded water and low levels of precipitation to the region . This results in a hyper - arid environment with little to no rain . As a result , botany in the arena is confine to metal money that are adapted to survive in such condition . These admit succulents , lichens , and shrub .
The fauna in the African coastal desert is equally adapted to the harsh environment . endemical specie such as the fennec fox and gemsbok are able to survive on very minuscule water supply , while others such as seals and fish thrive in the nearby rivers and ocean . Elephants , lions , zebras , and ostriches are also found in the region , although they must adapt to the scarcity of water supply and vegetation .
Adaptation Strategies
plant life and brute in the African coastal desert have developed various version strategy to survive in the rough surround . For example , succulent lay in water in their leave and stems , while lichen are able to absorb moisture from the air travel . Some animals , such as the fennec fox , are able to find all the water they necessitate from the solid food they eat .
Dew is also an important source of water in the area . Some flora have adapted to collect dew through specialised surfaces on their leaf , while animals such as lizards are able to toast dew flat from the surface of rock’n’roll .
Overall , the flora and fauna in the African coastal desert have adapted to outlast in a ambitious surround with limited resource . autochthonic plant life and beast have develop unequalled scheme to manage with the hyper - desiccate conditions , resulting in a rich and diverse ecosystem that is uniquely adapted to the region .
