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Cold desert of India include areas of ladak, leh and kargil of kashmir and spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh and some parts of northern Uttaranchal and Sikkim. Lies in rain shadow of Himalaya Oak, pine, deodar, birch and rhododendron are the important trees and bushes found there. Major animal include yaks, dwarf cows, and goats.
Severe arid conditions – Dry Atmosphere
Mean annual rainfall less than 400mm
Soil type – sandy to sandy loam , Soil pH – neutral to slight alkaline.
Soil nutrient – Poor organic matter content ,low water retention capacity
Bio-diversity
Cold desert is the home of highly adaptive, rare endangered Fauna, such as
Asiatic Ibex, Tibetan Argali, Ladakh Uriyal, Bharal, Tibetan Antelope (chiru),
Tibetan Gazelle, Wild Yak, Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Wild
Dog and Tibetan Wild Ass (‘Kiang’ a close relative of the Indian wild ass) ,
Woolly hare, Black Necked Crane, etc.
,
Cold deserts are a type of desert that is characterized by cold winters and hot summers. The Average temperature in a cold desert is below freezing for at least four months of the year. The annual Precipitation is low, typically less than 10 inches.
Cold deserts are found in many parts of the world, including North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Some of the most well-known cold deserts include the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, the Atacama Desert in Chile, and the Great Basin Desert in the United States.
The Plants that live in cold deserts are adapted to the harsh conditions. They have deep roots to reach water, and they have thick, waxy leaves to protect them from the cold and the sun. Some common plants in cold deserts include sagebrush, yucca, and cacti.
The animals that live in cold deserts are also adapted to the harsh conditions. They have thick fur or feathers to keep them warm, and they have keen senses to help them find food and avoid predators. Some common animals in cold deserts include coyotes, jackrabbits, and rattlesnakes.
The Landforms of cold deserts are characterized by their rugged terrain. The land is often covered in Mountains, valleys, and plateaus. The soil is dry and sandy, and it is often blown around by the wind.
The people who live in cold deserts have adapted to the harsh conditions. They live in small communities, and they rely on agriculture and Livestock for their livelihood. Some common activities in cold deserts include hunting, fishing, and mining.
The economy of cold deserts is based on agriculture, livestock, and mining. Agriculture is limited by the low rainfall, but some crops, such as wheat and barley, can be grown. Livestock, such as sheep and goats, are also raised in cold deserts. Mining is an important Industry in some cold deserts, where Minerals such as gold, silver, and copper are found.
Cold deserts are fragile Ecosystems, and they are threatened by human activities such as mining, grazing, and development. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique ecosystems.
Climate change is a major threat to cold deserts. The rising temperatures are causing the snowpack to melt earlier in the year, which is reducing the amount of water available for plants and animals. The warming temperatures are also causing the range of some plants and animals to shift northward.
Conservation efforts are essential to protect cold deserts from the impacts of Climate Change. These efforts include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting wildlife habitat, and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Cold deserts are an important part of the Earth’s ecosystem. They provide a home for many unique plants and animals, and they play a role in regulating the climate. It is important to protect cold deserts from the impacts of climate change and other human activities.
What is a desert?
A desert is a region that receives very little precipitation. Deserts can be found on every continent, and they cover about one-third of the Earth’s surface.
What are the different types of deserts?
There are three main types of deserts: hot deserts, cold deserts, and temperate deserts. Hot deserts are the most common type of desert, and they are found in areas near the equator. Cold deserts are found in high-latitude areas, and they are characterized by their cold temperatures and low precipitation. Temperate deserts are found in areas between hot and cold deserts, and they are characterized by their warm summers and cool winters.
What are the characteristics of a desert?
Deserts are characterized by their low precipitation, high temperatures, and sparse vegetation. Deserts can be very hot during the day and very cold at night. The lack of precipitation makes it difficult for plants to grow, and the high temperatures can cause water to evaporate quickly.
What are some of the challenges of living in a desert?
The main challenges of living in a desert are the lack of water and the extreme temperatures. People who live in deserts must be able to find ways to collect and store water, and they must also be able to protect themselves from the heat.
What are some of the benefits of living in a desert?
The main benefits of living in a desert are the low cost of living and the beautiful scenery. Deserts are often very affordable places to live, and they offer stunning views of the stars and the night sky.
What are some of the animals that live in deserts?
Some of the animals that live in deserts include camels, snakes, lizards, and scorpions. These animals have adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert by developing thick skin, long legs, and the ability to store water.
What are some of the plants that live in deserts?
Some of the plants that live in deserts include cacti, succulents, and desert Grasses. These plants have adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert by developing thick, waxy leaves that help to retain water.
What are some of the threats to deserts?
The main threats to deserts are climate change, overgrazing, and development. Climate change is causing deserts to become hotter and drier, which is making it difficult for plants and animals to survive. Overgrazing is when too many animals are allowed to graze on the land, which can damage the vegetation and make it difficult for new plants to grow. Development is when land is cleared for construction, which can destroy the natural habitat of plants and animals.
What can we do to protect deserts?
There are many things we can do to protect deserts, including:
- Reducing our carbon emissions to help mitigate climate change.
- Grazing livestock in a sustainable way.
- Developing land in a way that minimizes the impact on deserts.
- Educating people about the importance of deserts.
Deserts are an important part of our planet, and we need to do everything we can to protect them.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a desert?
(A) Low rainfall
(B) High temperatures
(C) Little vegetation
(D) Cold winters
Answer (D)
Deserts are characterized by low rainfall, high temperatures, and little vegetation. Cold winters are not a characteristic of deserts.
Question 2
Which of the following is the largest desert in the world?
(A) Sahara Desert
(B) Arabian Desert
(C) Gobi Desert
(D) Atacama Desert
Answer (A)
The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world, covering an area of 9,200,000 square kilometers. It is located in North Africa and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.
Question 3
Which of the following is the hottest desert in the world?
(A) Death Valley
(B) Lut Desert
(C) Dasht-e Lut
(D) Atacama Desert
Answer (B)
The Lut Desert is the hottest desert in the world, with temperatures reaching up to 70 degrees Celsius. It is located in Iran and covers an area of 160,000 square kilometers.
Question 4
Which of the following is the coldest desert in the world?
(A) Antarctica
(B) Greenland
(C) Siberia
(D) Arctic
Answer (A)
Antarctica is the coldest desert in the world, with temperatures reaching down to -89 degrees Celsius. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and covers an area of 14,000,000 square kilometers.
Question 5
Which of the following is the driest desert in the world?
(A) Atacama Desert
(B) Sahara Desert
(C) Arabian Desert
(D) Gobi Desert
Answer (A)
The Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world, with some areas receiving less than 1 millimeter of rain per year. It is located in South America and stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Andes Mountains.
Question 6
Which of the following is the largest hot desert in the world?
(A) Sahara Desert
(B) Arabian Desert
(C) Thar Desert
(D) Great Victoria Desert
Answer (A)
The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, covering an area of 9,200,000 square kilometers. It is located in North Africa and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.
Question 7
Which of the following is the largest cold desert in the world?
(A) Antarctica
(B) Greenland
(C) Siberia
(D) Arctic
Answer (A)
Antarctica is the largest cold desert in the world, covering an area of 14,000,000 square kilometers. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and is almost entirely covered by ice.
Question 8
Which of the following is the largest sand desert in the world?
(A) Sahara Desert
(B) Arabian Desert
(C) Thar Desert
(D) Great Victoria Desert
Answer (A)
The Sahara Desert is the largest sand desert in the world, covering an area of 9,200,000 square kilometers. It is located in North Africa and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.
Question 9
Which of the following is the largest salt desert in the world?
(A) Salar de Uyuni
(B) Death Valley
(C) Great Salt Lake
(D) Dead Sea
Answer (A)
The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt desert in the world, covering an area of 10,582 square kilometers. It is located in Bolivia and is the world’s largest reserve of lithium.
Question 10
Which of the following is the largest ice desert in the world?
(A) Antarctica
(B) Greenland
(C) Siberia
(D) Arctic
Answer (A)
Antarctica is the largest ice desert in the world, covering an area of 14,000,000 square kilometers. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and is almost entirely covered by ice.