Arid climates are regions characterized by very low levels of precipitation and high rates of evaporation. These areas typically receive less than 250 mm (10 inches) of rainfall annually.
Imagine an arid climate as a desert with scarce water resources. It's like trying to grow plants in a barren wasteland where the soil is dry and there's not enough rain to sustain agriculture.
Drought: A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water scarcity and often causing severe impacts on agriculture.
Xerophyte: Plants that have adapted to survive in arid conditions by conserving water or having specialized structures, such as cacti with their thick stems or succulents with their fleshy leaves.
Desertification: The process by which fertile land becomes desert due to factors like climate change, deforestation, overgrazing, and improper agricultural practices.
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.