Limiting factors in the desertSeptember 16, 2010
In some ways the term “limiting factor” is almost a definition of deserts, because deserts lack one or more essential ingredients for the survival of most kinds of plants and animals.
First, a desert is, by definition, a place with very little available water, either because there is little rainfall, or because it evaporates so fast. It may also be that most of the precipitation is unavailable because it is frozen most of the year, as in the far north or south, or in some high altitude regions.
Some areas may get bursts of moisture, even flooding, but it is episodic and not dependably available most of the year.
Temperature is another limiting factor. Many deserts get too hot for most organisms. Some deserts near the north and south poles are too cold. And yet others have wide swings in temperature.
Wind is another. There are few trees or shrubs to stop the wind. Desert mountains, river-courses or other sheltered areas may harbor small oases in their wind and sun shadows.
One unusual limiting factor is lack of sunlight. This can occur in deserts near the poles.
Especially interesting are the adaptations that plants and animals have developed to deal with these limiting factors. Many of them are what we talk about here.