Year: 1995
Type: article
Abstract: The principal environmental problems that confront both plants and animals in the desert are water shortage and flooding, thermal extremes, and the absence of cover. Adaptational responses to these include cryptobiosis, diapause, seasonal quiescence, water conservation, and the uptake of atmospheric moisture. The major avenues of water loss from animals are in transpiration, respiration and excretion. Both thermal extremes and predatory enemies are avoided by taking shelter in burrows, rock crevices, or shade, combined with nocturnal activity rhythms and various antipredator devices.
Author: Cloudsley-Thompson, J. L.
Institutions: BT Group (United Kingdom), University College London
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7139689511