Deserts and xeric shrublands is a biome characterized by a dry climate. Deserts and xeric shrublands occur in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climate regions.

It is characterized by

• rainfall : almost none
• temperature : hot or cold
• soil : very limited
• plants : very sparse (succulents)
• animal : very sparse (insect, reptiles, arachnids, nocturnal birds)

Colorado's San Luis Valley is a typical cold xeric shrubland located in the temperate zone at high elevation although it does deviate from the general description in being densely populated with small animals and their predators.

See also

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• desert
• Shrub-steppe
• Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
• Sagebrush steppe

Desert and xeric shrublands ecoregions

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External links

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• Deserts and xeric shrublands (World Wildlife Fund)
• [

http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/ecoregions/maps/index.cfm Map of the ecozones]

• Index to Deserts & Xeric Shrublands at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu

Deserts and xeric shrublands | Terrestrial biomes | Déserts et broussailles xérophytes