A desert is a desolate area of the landscape with minimal rainfall, making living scenarios unfriendly for both plant and animal life. The lack of plants exposes the exposed ground surface to denudation. Arid or semi-arid areas make up around one-third of the Earth's geographical surface area. This consists of a big part of the arctic regions, which are often referred to as polar deserts or "cold deserts" due to the fact that they receive very little precipitation. The quantity of precipitation that occurs, the temperature level that dominates, the reasons for desertification, or the geographic area of a desert can all be used to classify it. Big temperature distinctions between day and night enforce tension on the rocks, triggering them to fracture in fragments, which is how deserts are produced. Although deserts seldom see rain, there are erratic rainstorms that may cause flash floods. Hot rocks can break when exposed to rain, and the shattered pieces and debris that are left on the desert floor are more worn down by the wind. This gathers sand and dust particles, which can stay in the air for a very long time and occasionally lead to the creation of sand storms or dust storms. The surface area can be worn away by wind-blown sand grains striking any solid item in their course. The wind flattens down rocks and creates constant sand deposits. Desert plants and animals require specific adaptations to sustain the extreme environment. In order to fend against herbivory, plants often have waterproof cuticles, little or no leaves, and often even spinal columns. After a rain, certain annual plants grow, blossom, and after that wither away within a few weeks, whereas other long-lived plants can persist for many years and have deep root systems that can access wetness from the earth. In order to make it through, animals need to stay cool and acquire adequate food and water. Lots of are nocturnal and invest the daytime heat in the shade or underground. The Imperial Valley in California serves as an illustration of how previously ineffective surface might be rendered efficient by the import of water from an outside source, making it viable to produce in the desert. Salt, gold, ivory, and other commodities were typically transferred by camel caravans through several trade routes that have been established throughout deserts, especially those that span the Sahara. Furthermore, a large variety of servants were transported north through the Sahara. Deserts are likewise utilized for some mineral extraction, and the constant sunlight makes it possible to catch substantial quantities of solar energy.
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