What is a Cool Desert?
Cool deserts are generally defined by relatively long, cold winters and short, moderate summers with lots of precipitation. They are also characterized by salty soil and lots of sagebrush growing in the area. Most of the animals found in cool deserts burrow themselves in the soil to keep warm.
Great Basin National Park is home to the only cool desert ecosystem in the United States!Located in the western part of the United States, the Great Basin covers areas of California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. The temperate climate of the area provides a suitable habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
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"Ranging in elevation from 5,000 - 13,000 feet, you will find deserts, playas, mountains, rock formations, fossils, springs, caves, creeks, and even a lone glacier" (National Park Service). |
This website includes detailed information on the location, climate, wildlife, and species interaction of the Great Basin. Have fun exploring!
Video found on the Great Basin National Park YouTube page. Information on definition of cool deserts found on the desert biomes website.