Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Notes - Life in the Deserts

What is Desert?

Desert is an arid region characterized by extremely high or low temperatures and has scarce vegetation. They are vast, arid regions characterized by a scarcity of precipitation, resulting in dry and often inhospitable landscapes. These areas typically receive minimal rainfall, making it challenging for vegetation to thrive. Deserts cover approximately one-third of the Earth's land surface and are found on every continent. 

Depending on the temperature, There are two types of deserts 

Types of Deserts

1. The Hot Desert - Sahara

• The Sahara Desert spans a significant portion of Africa.
• It is the largest desert in the world.
• The Sahara covers an area of approximately 8.54 million square kilometers. In comparison, India has an area of 3.28 million square kilometers.
• The Sahara Desert extends across eleven countries which are: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. 
• Beyond vast stretches of sand, the Sahara has gravel plains and elevated plateaus with bare rocky surfaces, some over 2500m high.

Sahara Desert

(a) Climate

The Sahara Desert is a super hot and dry place where it rarely rains. 

• The intense heat in the Sahara Desert contributes to rapid evaporation of water sources. This phenomenon occurs due to the elevated temperatures, causing water to transform into vapor swiftly. The scarce rainfall, coupled with the quick evaporation, accentuates the arid nature of the environment.
• Daytime temperatures in the Sahara Desert can reach remarkable highs, soaring up to 50°C (122°F). This extreme heat is comparable to standing in close proximity to a high-temperature heat source. 
• Conversely, during the night, the desert experiences a significant drop in temperature, with readings nearing zero degrees Celsius. The fluctuation between scorching daytime conditions and chilly nights is a distinctive feature of the Sahara's climate.

(b) Flora and Fauna

• The vegetation in the Sahara Desert includes plants like cacti, date palms, and acacias.
• Some areas feature oases, which are green spots with date palms encircling them.
• The desert is home to various animal species, including camels, hyenas, jackals, foxes, scorpions, and many types of snakes and lizards.

Oasis

(c) People

• Despite its harsh climate, the Sahara Desert has been home to various groups.
• The Bedouins and Tuaregs are among these groups, and they are nomadic tribes.
• They raise livestock including goats, sheep, camels, and horses.
• These animals provide them with milk, hides for making leather items (such as belts, slippers, and water bottles), and hair for creating mats, carpets, clothes, and blankets.
• To protect themselves from dust storms and hot winds, they wear heavy robes.

Nomads 

• Oasis Settlements and Agriculture: The oasis in the Sahara and the Nile Valley in Egypt sustain settled communities because of the presence of water. This allows inhabitants to grow date palms and various crops like rice, wheat, barley, and beans. Egypt is also widely recognized for its cotton production. 
• Discovery of Oil: The discovery of oil, a product with high demand, in Algeria, Libya, and Egypt is steadily changing the Sahara Desert. The region is also rich in other important minerals such as iron, phosphorus, manganese, and uranium. 
• The Cultural Landscape: The cultural landscape of the Sahara is evolving. Modern glass office buildings now overshadow traditional mosques, and superhighways cross ancient camel paths. Trucks are increasingly taking over the role of camels in the salt trade. The Tuaregs are frequently seen guiding foreign tourists, and more nomadic herdsmen are transitioning to city life, finding jobs in the oil and gas industries. 

Formation of an Oasis

2. The Cold-Desert-Ladakh

• Ladakh is situated in the Great Himalayas, enclosed by the Karakoram Range to the north and the Zanskar mountains to the south.
• The region is characterized by sparse vegetation due to its frigid desert climate.
• Altitudes range from 3000m in Kargil to over 8000m in the Karakoram.

Ladakh

(a) Climate

The climate is extremely cold and dry, with minimal rainfall (about 10 cm annually) and intense sunlight.

• Daytime temperatures in summer are just above freezing, while night temperatures can drop below -30°C. Winters see temperatures below -40°C for extended periods.
• Ladakh experiences freezing winds and is in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, meaning that it experiences very little rainfall. 

(b) Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

• Vegetation is limited to patches of grasses, shrubs, willow, and poplar groves. Fruit trees like apples, apricots, and walnuts bloom in summer.
• Bird species such as robins, redstarts, Tibetan snowcock, ravens, and hoopoes inhabit the region, with some being migratory.
• Wildlife includes wild goats, sheep, yaks, and special dog breeds, raised for various purposes including milk, meat, and wool.

(c) People and Culture

People in Ladakh

• The population comprises mainly Muslims and Buddhists, with cultural ties to Tibet and Central Asia.
• Buddhist monasteries, including Hemis, Thiksey, Shey, and Lamayuru, are prominent features of the landscape.
• Summers are dedicated to agriculture, with crops like barley, potatoes, peas, beans, and turnips cultivated.
• Women play significant roles in household chores, agriculture, and small businesses.
• Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is well connected to Kashmir Valley by road via National Highway 1, which passes through the Zoji La Pass.
• Tourism is a major industry, attracting visitors for activities like monastery visits, trekking, and witnessing local ceremonies.

Question for Chapter Notes - Life in the Deserts

Try yourself:The altitude in Ladakh varies from about  ______ in Kargil to more than ______ in the Karakoram.

• A.

  3000m, 8000m
• B.

  1000m, 9000m
• C.

  2000m, 10000m
• D.

  3000m, 11000m

Explanation

The climate of the Ladakh desert is enormously cold and dry due to its high elevation which varies from about 3,000 m in Kargil to more than 8,000 m in the Karakoram. The air at this altitude is so slender that the high temperature of the sun can be felt strongly.

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(d) Sustainability and Resource Management

• Despite modernization, the people of Ladakh maintain a deep connection with nature.
• Resources such as water and fuel are utilized with reverence and care due to their scarcity.
• Minimal waste is generated, and nothing is discarded unnecessarily.

Differences Between the Two types of Deserts 

Differences between Hot and Cold Deserts