Topic Summaries

Biodiversity issues in hot deserts

IGCSE > Geography > Pearson IGCSE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Hot desert ecosystems > Biodiversity issues in hot deserts
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Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

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.

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