The Himalayan mountain range influenced climate and topography, leading to desert formation. This article examines the process and geological changes.
Are all deserts barren wastelands scorched by intense heat and fierce sandstorms? While some deserts are tropical, others are temperate, like those in high-altitude regions or continental interiors, where summers are hot but winters are cold. Generally, a desert is defined as an area with an annual precipitation of 250mm or less, and most are distributed in low and mid-latitudes. Deserts are known as harsh environments where life struggles to survive, yet diverse ecosystems and living organisms exist within them.
The climate and environmental conditions in deserts are extremely harsh, making them challenging for many organisms to adapt to. Daytime temperatures soar to extreme highs, while nights see a sharp drop, forcing plants and animals to develop specialized survival strategies to cope with these temperature fluctuations. For example, cacti, representative desert plants, minimize evaporation through thick stems capable of storing water and spiny leaves, while their roots spread very widely to effectively absorb water even from minimal rainfall. Among animals, many are nocturnal, hiding underground during the day and becoming active at night.
Deserts in low latitudes are located where the Tropic of Cancer or Tropic of Capricorn passes. In these regions, the Earth’s atmospheric circulation creates a semi-permanent high-pressure belt, resulting in a hot and dry climate. Tropical deserts like the Sahara and Arabian Desert, situated on the Tropic of Cancer, formed due to these factors. These regions experience large diurnal temperature variations and intense direct sunlight, making survival extremely difficult for living organisms. Nevertheless, special plants like cacti have taken root in deserts, and some animals employ various survival strategies, such as hiding underground during the day to escape the heat and becoming active at night.
The formation processes of the Great Salt Lake Desert in the western United States and the Taklamakan Desert in western China, both located in mid-latitude regions, differ. The Great Salt Lake Desert formed because the Sierra Nevada mountain range blocks the moisture transport of humid air flowing in from the ocean. This occurs because moisture-laden air loses its moisture when crossing the high mountain range, becoming dry on the opposite side. Meanwhile, the Taklamakan Desert formed due to its isolation from the ocean by the Himalayan Mountains and its position deep within the continent. The loss of moisture from the air during its movement inland is also a cause of desert formation. Thus, deserts are formed by factors such as atmospheric circulation, topographical features, and geographical location.
Interestingly, fossils of Neogene organisms that thrived in tropical humid environments have been discovered in the arid regions of the Tibetan Plateau adjacent to the Taklamakan Desert. From this, scientists have hypothesized that this area was once a low-lying, humid region that underwent tectonic shifts. According to existing crustal movement theories, the Himalayan mountain range is known to have uplifted as the Indian subcontinent moved northward and collided with the Eurasian continent. The biological fossils discovered on the Tibetan Plateau seemed to fit well with this theory. Through carbon isotope analysis of the fossils and paleomagnetic measurements of the sedimentary strata, scientists concluded that this region uplifted concurrently with the formation of the Himalayas. Therefore, the formation of the Taklamakan Desert adjacent to the Tibetan Plateau is fundamentally linked to the tectonic uplift that created the Himalayas.
The deserts of the Australian continent share similar characteristics. Separated from Antarctica approximately 50 million years ago, the Australian continent drifted northward due to tectonic movements, eventually settling near the Tropic of Capricorn at low latitudes. It is understood that desert formation began shortly thereafter. During this process, Australia developed its own unique ecosystem, which became the backdrop for the establishment of diverse flora and fauna possessing remarkable resilience, thriving even in the harsh desert environment. Animals like kangaroos and emus inhabit Australia’s deserts, possessing unique physiological traits that enable survival in extreme conditions. For instance, kangaroos efficiently reabsorb water internally to minimize moisture loss, while emus traverse vast areas in search of food and water.
Deserts are not merely inhospitable wastelands. They harbor unique ecosystems and life forms with remarkable adaptability, and humans have also developed diverse strategies to survive in desert environments. Traditionally, desert-dwelling nomads lived by constantly moving in search of water and food, utilizing mobile dwellings. In modern times, various attempts are underway to transform deserts into green spaces. These efforts are crucial for preserving desert ecosystems while enhancing human survival potential. Recently, attempts are underway to transform deserts into hubs for energy production through solar power generation. This approach is gaining attention as a method to produce sustainable energy by leveraging the vast expanse and intense solar radiation of deserts.
The formation process of deserts reflects nature’s complex mechanisms, playing a vital role as part of Earth’s diverse climates and ecosystems. Understanding and studying deserts provides crucial clues for comprehending Earth’s past, present, and future, playing a vital role in protecting our environment and building a sustainable future. Research on desert ecosystems also holds significant meaning from the perspectives of climate change and environmental protection, presenting issues directly linked to human survival. Therefore, we must recognize and protect deserts not as mere wastelands, but as vital natural resources of our planet.
