1.Botanical Garden Field Trip
Ms. Lauras Class
Located in the Sonoran Desert,
in Phoenix, Arizona

2. What is a desert?
A place where there is a shortage of usable water
The Sonoran Desert is Located here
3. 2 Categories of deserts:horse latitude and rain shadow deserts
Horse latitude or high pressure zone
At 30 degrees latitude in both the northern and southern hemispheres, the west coasts of all continents have deserts.These are caused by high pressure zones which result from warm, dry descending air.This downward motion of dry air prevents rain.
30o
30o
4. Rain Shadow

Rain Shadow or Orographic Effect

Moist air crossing a land mass loses its moisture while passing over mountains.As the air moves upward, it cools and moisture it contains condenses dropping precipitation on the windward slopeThe air is dry by the time it reaches the leeward side resulting in desert conditions.
5. We are now at the entrance of the garden
6. Habitats
The Sonoran Desert has many different landforms, soil types and moisture.As a result, several habitats (communities of plants and animals) have developed in this area.
7. Desert Habitat
The desert, with its many mountains and valleys, is the largest habitat.These plants can survive on less than ten inches of rain per year.
8. Mesquite Bosque
Along waterways, where ground water is high, small mesquite forests grow.The mesquite tree is an important plant to the desert and the life in it.It is sometimes referred to as the tree of life because it has so many different uses.
9. Desert Oasis
There are valleys in the desert where one can find streams, pools and ponds.Many trees like cottonwood, willow trees, and cattails would otherwise die without these areas.
10. Semi Desert Grassland
On the eastern edge of the Sonoran Desert lie semi-desert grasslands. The elevation is higher and the rainfall is about ten to eighteen inches per year.Many grasses, acacia and yucca plants grow here.
11. Chaparral
The chaparral habitat are mostly in the northern areas of the Sonoran desert at much higher elevations of 2400 to 4100 feet.There is 13-25 inches of rain every year.The juniper and desert spoon make their home here.
12. Match the Habitat
Desert
Mesquite Bosque
Chaparral
Desert Oasis
Semi Desert Grassland
Check the next slide to see if youre correct!
13. Match the Habitat
Desert
Mesquite Bosque
Chaparral
Desert Oasis
Semi Desert Grassland
14. What is a cacti?
Any succulent plant of the family Cactaceae native to the arid regions of the world and usually having spines.
Succulent plant:
water retaining plants that
store water in their leaves,
stems, and roots.
15. Parts of a Cacti
16. Tonto Basin Agave
Agave delamateri
This plant looks like
a cacti but is actually
more related to the
Lily.It was first used
by the Sinagua Indians.It cannot reproduce by flowers and seeds, instead it uses clones to reproduce.
17. Strawberry Hedgehog
Echinocereusengelmannii

Clumping cacti with erect light green stems.It has bright pink flowers from February through April in the Sonoran Desert.The flowers close at night and reopen in the morning.