What is a Biome and What is a Desert?
Before an in-depth study of the Desert Biome, we need to clarify what exactly a biome is and then what exactly defines a desert. Biome (pronounced BY-ohm) is defined by the World Book Encyclopedia as a community of plants and animals that live in a large geographical area having a similar climate. A Desert, again according to the World Book Encyclopedia is generally thought of as a hot, barren region that receives little rainfall. Although scientists do not agree completely on a single definition for deserts, they generally classify a desert as any region that receives an average of less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain annually and has a certain type of dry soil that, due to the insufficient rainfall, can support very little of certain types of vegetation. Because the climate of most deserts is extremely dry, very distinct types of vegetation, such as cacti and other fleshy plants, sparse grasses, and small-leaved shrubs typically grow there. The most typical animals found in d
