Topic Summaries

Biodiversity issues in hot deserts

IGCSE > Geography > CIE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Hot desert ecosystems > Biodiversity issues in hot deserts
Previous Module
Next Module

Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Tropical storm hazards

Responding to tropical storms

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Water supply

Energy supply

  • Habitat destruction: 
    • Mining: involves land clearance and soil disturbance. This destroys habitats and pollutes soil and water (e.g. copper mining in the Atacama Desert in Chile). 
    • Farming: irrigated agriculture leads to vegetation removal and soil degradation. 
    • Tourism: construction of resorts, roads, and off-road tracks damages soil and plants. This can cause noise, litter, and pollution which disturbs wildlife.
  • Climate change: 
    • Higher temperatures: if temperatures exceed tolerance levels of desert species, they may experience heat stress or even death.
    • Reduced rainfall: leads to drying up of water sources like ephemeral rivers and oases, increasing drought conditions.
  • Overuse of water resources:
    • Groundwater extraction: aquifers and underground reserves are depleted by human use. This means water tables fall, making it harder for native plants to survive. 
    • Irrigation impacts: over-irrigation causes salinisation, making soil infertile. As a result, springs and oases may dry up, leading to local habitat collapse. 
    • Urban and tourist water demand: increases pressure on already limited resources, reducing availability for ecosystems dependent on natural water sources.

Unlock Biodiversity issues in hot deserts

Subscribe to SnapRevise+ to get immediate access to the rest of this resource.

Premium accounts get immediate access to this resource.

Previous Module
Next Module