arid environment
Dry, barren terrain
An arid environment is a region receiving very little precipitation—typically less than 10 inches annually.
Deserts are the classic example, but arid environments also include cold polar regions and rain shadows behind mountain ranges.
The term appears in ecology, geography, and climate science: Plants in arid environments have adapted to conserve water.
- desertificationLand becoming barren, infertile
- parched earthSeverely dried-out ground
- cactiSpiny water-storing plants
- sparse vegetationMinimal plant life present
- nocturnal activityActions performed after dark
oases · water hole · water scarcity · xerophyte · evapotranspiration · wadis · ephemeral streams · drought · bone dry · climate refugees · wind erosion · succulents · temperature extremes · caliche · flash flood · rain shadow · scorching heat · kangaroo rats
arid environmentrainforest
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
tropical rainforest · wetland · swamp · marsh · bog
arid environmentverdant landscape
Land covered in vegetation
fertile land · rainforest · jungle · oasis · temperate forest