Deserts and xeric shrublands receive an annual average rainfall of ten inches or less, and have an arid or hyperarid climate, characterized by a strong moisture deficit, where annual potential loss of moisture from evapotranspiration well exceeds the moisture received as rainfall. Deserts and xeric shrublands occur in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climate regions. Desert soils tend to be sandy or rocky, and low in organic materials. Saline or alkaline soils are common. Plants and animals in deserts and xeric shrublands are adapted to low moisture conditions. Hyperarid regions are mostly devoid of vegetation and animal life, and include rocky deserts and sand dunes. Vegetation in arid climate regions can include sparse grasslands, shrublands, and woodlands. Plants adapted to arid climates are called xerophytes, and include succulent plants, geophytes, sclerophyll, and annual plants. Animals, including insects, reptiles, arachnids, birds and mammals, are frequently nocturnal to avoid moisture loss.
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| Afghan Mountains semi-desert |
Afghanistan |
| Alashan Plateau semi-desert |
China, Mongolia |
| Arabian Desert and East Sahero-Arabian xeric shrublands |
Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen |
| Atlantic coastal desert |
Mauritania, Western Sahara |
| Azerbaijan shrub desert and steppe |
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran |
| Badkhiz-Karabil semi-desert |
Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan |
| Baluchistan xeric woodlands |
Afghanistan, Pakistan |
| Caspian lowland desert |
Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan |
| Central Afghan Mountains xeric woodlands |
Afghanistan |
| Central Asian northern desert |
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan |
| Central Asian riparian woodlands |
Kazakhstan |
| Central Asian southern desert |
Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan |
| Central Persian desert basins |
Afghanistan, Iran |
| Eastern Gobi desert steppe |
China, Mongolia |
| Gobi Lakes Valley desert steppe |
Mongolia |
| Great Lakes Basin desert steppe |
Mongolia, Russia |
| Junggar Basin semi-desert |
China, Mongolia |
| Kazakh semi-desert |
Kazakhstan |
| Kopet Dag semi-desert |
Iran, Turkmenistan |
| Mesopotamian shrub desert |
Iraq, Jordan, Syria |
| North Saharan steppe and woodlands |
Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Western Sahara |
| Paropamisus xeric woodlands |
Afghanistan |
| Persian Gulf desert and semi-desert |
Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates |
| Qaidam Basin semi-desert |
China |
| Red Sea Nubo-Sindian tropical desert and semi-desert |
Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen |
| Rigestan-North Pakistan sandy desert |
Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan |
| Sahara desert |
Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sudan |
| South Iran Nubo-Sindian desert and semi-desert |
Iran, Iraq, Pakistan |
| South Saharan steppe and woodlands |
Algeria, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sudan |
| Taklimakan desert |
China |
| Tibesti-Jebel Uweinat montane xeric woodlands |
Chad, Egypt, Libya, Sudan |
| West Saharan montane xeric woodlands |
Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, Niger |