Science for Kids: Desert Biome. We've all seen deserts in the movies.
They are full of miles and miles of sand dunes. However, not all deserts are like this. Many deserts are rocky with scattered plants and shrubs. There are even deserts that are icy and cold. On this page we will describe the hot and dry deserts. Basic Facts About Deserts. Desert. A desert is a barren area of land where little precipitation occurs and consequently living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life.
The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to the processes of denudation. About one third of the land surface of the world is arid or semi-arid. This includes much of the polar regions where little precipitation occurs and which are sometimes called "cold deserts". Deserts can be classified by the amount of precipitation that falls, by the temperature that prevails, by the causes of desertification or by their geographical location. Deserts are formed by weathering processes as large variations in temperature between day and night put strains on the rocks which consequently break in pieces. Desert Biome Facts. Fun Desert Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about the Sahara & more.