KS4 Geography - ecosystems: Desert

Overview

Our world is made up of many ecosystems with a range of distinctive characteristics. What defines a desert ecosystem and why are deserts important?  

How are deserts affected by climate or human activity? How are plants affected by abiotic factors in an extreme desert environment? Explore the hot, arid desert region of our Princess of Wales Conservatory to find out what makes a desert ecosystem unique. 

Learning outcomes

Pupils will be able to:

• Understand how climate and other factors influence the distribution of ecosystems.
• Define the physical characteristics of a hot desert.
• Explain how biotic and abiotic components within an ecosystem, including plants, are interdependent.
• Describe the causes of and potential strategies to reduce desertification.

We will ensure learning outcomes are relevant to your pupils and will focus on your chosen exam board.

Keywords: 

Ecosystem, biosphere, biodiversity, biome, desert, climate, weather, biotic, abiotic, desertification, climate change, interdependence, interaction 

Curriculum links