Desert Ecosystem

*Please note, early ClassVR headset models (155) may take longer to load this scene and performance could be affected.* Journey through the Earth’s most unforgiving ecosystem and uncover the wonders of the world’s deserts and its extreme climates. In this explorable scene, students can experience the arid conditions that shape life in rain shadow deserts, savanna and interior/tropical deserts. Plus, they’ll discover the remarkable adaptations that make life possible in such hostile environments, where plants and animals battle the elements to survive.  **Note to Teachers:** The experience is designed to support biodiversity, ecology, geography and social studies lessons. This resource has been created to give an overview of the climate, conditions, and life of tropical, rain shadow and savanna ecosystems. While these deserts have inspired this experience, we have chosen not to depict a singular geographic location. While we have indicated a suggested age range, this experience can be adapted for younger and older learning ages and subjects. # Learning Objectives 1. Describe deserts and their typical climate{.info} 2. Describe typical adaptations needed to survive in a desert{.info} 3. Review and highlight similarities and differences between different types of deserts{.info} # Preparing for the Experience Before entering the *Desert Ecosystem*, ask your students where they are found and why they matter, from supporting mineral formation to providing a home for a variety of plants and animals. Introduce students to the different types of desert ecosystems and their global locations. You can start by highlighting that deserts make up around 20% of the earth’s surface, while rainforests cover only 8%, yet both play crucial roles in the planet’s climate and biodiversity. Engage students in a discussion about key aspects of physical geography, including climate zones and natural features like dunes and polished canyons and how these elements contribute to the wider ecosystem. Before starting your experience, you can introduce students to the types of desert ecosystems that are depicted in the explorable scene: **Rain Shadow Deserts** A rain shadow forms when mountains block moist air, creating dry desert conditions on the opposite side. As moist air rises, it cools and forms clouds which drop rain. The air warms when it reaches the other side, causing the clouds to dissipate, reducing rainfall. One example of a rain shadow desert is the Death Valley in North America, located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada. **A Savanna Desert** A savanna is an ecological region typically characterized by an open plain and scattered trees, found mostly in the tropical areas of the globe. It typically experiences hot temperatures year-round, with seasonal rainfall, helping the shrubs and trees to grow. **Subtropical and Interior** Interior deserts usually form inland, at the heart of a continent, where humid coastal air loses moisture as it moves across the land. An example of an interior desert is the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia, mostly sandy with mountainous rocky terrain. While an example of a subtropical desert is the world’s largest hot desert, the Sahara in northern Africa. **Preparation Questions** - What other types of deserts are there? Can they describe them and their conditions?{.task} - What does arid and semi-arid mean? What conditions do these adjectives describe?{.task} - Can they name any countries or regions that have desert ecosystems?{.task} # Step-by-Step Experience Guide Teachers can use this step-by-step guide to lead students through the experience once they are in the headset. Alternatively, students can use the guide below independently, or in a group. ## Rain Shadow Desert{.objective .objective1}  Welcome to the canyon valley! Your journey begins hidden between the towering rock faces. What fauna and flora do you notice around you? This is an example of a rain-shadow desert. This type of desert features a mix of rocky and sandy terrain. **Flora** As you walk in the canyon, you'll see various types of shrubs and plants. Rain shadow deserts like this support plant life like brittlebush and prickly pear cacti because these hardy species have deep roots, waxy leaves and water-story tissues, helping them survive long dry spells. **Fauna** Soaring above is the California Condor, North America's largest bird with a 9-foot wingspan. These birds make nests in rocky cliffs and cavities. These scavengers thrive in the open desert, going days to weeks without food before feasting on carrion, the decaying carcass of a dead animal. ## Quick Fire Questions - How do mountains influence rainfall patterns, leading to drier regions like this desert?{.task} - What adaptations might help the animals and plants here survive?{.task} - Name some abiotic and biotic factors that shape this desert ecosystem (for example, abiotics- extreme temperatures and biotic - drought-resistant plants).{.task} ## The Savanna{.objective .objective2}  Leaving the canyon behind, walk toward the open plain. Here, the landscape changes to reveal the Savanna. This open ecosystem is full of dangers. With fewer hiding places, animals must rely on speed, camouflage or group defense. **Flora** Walk between the dunes. You'll notice more plants, shrubs and a few trees than in the rain shadow desert. The savanna receives more seasonal rainfall, supporting a greater variety of plant and animal life. The climate is warm, with temperatures ranging from 68°F to 86°F (20°C to 30°C). Savannas experience a six-to-eight-month wet season and a four-to-six-month dry season, with annual rainfall between 10-30 inches (25-75 cm). To survive, plants have adapted to wet and dry seasons with deep roots for water and waxy coatings to reduce moisture loss. **Fauna** What animals can you see? Many animals call the savanna ecosystem home. Depending on where you are in the world, you might catch a glimpse of grazing mammals like elephants, predatory mammals like lions, which blend into the savanna landscape because of their fur, and insects like dung beetles that improve land conditions by breaking down organic matter and spreading nutrients. All these animals play a part in preserving this precious ecosystem. ## Quick Fire Questions - How might changes in the immediate and wider climate affect living things in this ecosystem?{.task} - How have the animals adapted to live here?{.task} - Can you name at least one predator and one prey and explain how they depend on each other in the ecosystem?{.task} ## Subtropical and Interior{.objective .objective3}  Continue your journey and walk toward the oasis. You are now entering an example of an interior or subtropical desert. The desert air here is dry and hot. **Flora** Continue your journey and walk toward the oasis. You are now entering an example of an interior or subtropical desert. The desert air here is dry and hot. Walk toward the camel on the left. What do you notice about the vegetation in the background? The desert is split into two main climates: a dry subtropical zone in the north and a hot, dry tropical zone in the south. The subtropical climate has extreme temperature changes, with cold winters and hot summers, while the tropical climate has hot, dry seasons and some variable summer rains. The climate in places like the Sahara makes it difficult for plants to grow because of extreme heat, limited rainfall and temperature fluctuations. For the flora that does survive, life is tough. Known as xerophytes, these plants have adapted to harsh conditions with various adaptations. Walk toward the oasis where you will see palm trees. Some types of palms are xerophytic. These palms have thick trunks and waxy foliage that help retain water, allowing them to thrive in the harsh desert environment. **Fauna** Get up close to the camel. What do you notice about its body? Camels are cleverly adapted to the harsh climate of deserts like the Sahara. Its soft hooves allow it to quickly move through the sand, while its hump full of stored fat can be converted into energy when they don't have access to resources. Due to this, they can survive a week or two without water. In contrast, humans can only survive a few days without water. **Oases** Walk forward toward the oasis. An oasis is a small patch of vegetation surrounded by desert. Here, you'll see palm trees, which thrive thanks to underground water sources and provide shade and shelter. ## Quick Fire Questions - What is a key challenge that animals like camels must overcome to survive?{.task} - What other adaptations do you think camels have to survive the climate?{.task} - What role do you think oases play in desert ecosystems?{.task} # Extended Learning Use these extended research ideas to enhance your *Desert Ecosystem experience.* Follow the path back to the beginning and take the time to observe the animals and plants that call this ecosystem home. How does the environment shift as you reach different types of deserts? Why do you think this is? Consider how the ecosystem is interdependent and how small shifts in abiotic factors like climate change might affect it. # Cross-Curricular Links **Geography** Ask students to create an infographic of desert ecosystems, including at least three different types. Each example should highlight the biome’s climate and features and, overall, draw a conclusion as a summary of similarities and differences based on their geographical location. Each example should highlight the biome’s climate and features, and overall, draw a conclusion as a summary of similarities and differences based on their geographical location. **Social Studies, Life Science and History** Ask students to consider how desert ecosystems have changed by exploring past and present views of a type of desert of their choice. Focus on key areas such as vegetation types, wildlife corridors, and conservation efforts. Have students draw conclusions about how their chosen desert ecosystem could change in the future and encourage them to develop strategies for preserving this ecosystem. # Teacher Resources ### Download the Science Teacher Notes Below [](https://avnfs.com/mckMAv9UGqNM_OiViikJhwYQoezsVzrtyHufJ_gOVFA?size=5111260&type=application%2Fpdf&name=Desert+Ecosystem+SS+Teacher+Notes+-+Teacher+Version.pdf) ### Download the Science Student Notes Below [](https://avnfs.com/JdHFrHSGfo8QksX8tRJzwO4SzpZmgW5eGGtJXsGmGXk?size=3782337&type=application%2Fpdf&name=Desert+Ecosystem+SS+Teacher+Notes+-+Student+Version.pdf) ### Download the Geography Teacher Notes Below [](https://avnfs.com/DJZBCAGU8m_n5iLE4MLOaU3WJJMLa_4rCFp9bnP4R6U?size=5091559&type=application%2Fpdf&name=Desert+Ecosystem+Teacher+Notes+-+Teacher+Version.pdf) ### Download the Geography Student Notes Below [](https://avnfs.com/2fmfuTA2jKLnk6ejb90wbKvlo_ZyKDpRujESJb4zokc?size=3760992&type=application%2Fpdf&name=Desert+Ecosystem+Teacher+Notes+-+Student+Version.pdf)