wadis
Dry North African streambeds
Wadis is the plural of wadi, a valley or streambed in desert regions that remains dry except during rainy seasons.
The term comes from Arabic and appears frequently in descriptions of Middle Eastern and North African landscapes: Flash floods turned the wadis into raging torrents.
Also spelled wadies.
Channel without current water
- arroyoSeasonal desert watercourse
- gulchSteep narrow ravine
- washClean using liquid
- canyonDeep river-cut gorge
ravine · streambed · gully · desert terrain · arid landscape · flash flood zone · ephemeral stream · oasis
Rapid overflow from storms
- runoffExcess water drainage
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
- rechargeRestore electrical capacity
ephemeral · intermittent · precipitation · monsoon · rainy season · water table · sediment · alluvium
Arid region's living community
- acaciaThorny warm-climate shrub
- tamariskDrought-resistant flowering shrub
- palm grovesCultivated clusters of tropical trees
- migratory birdsSpecies traveling between seasonal habitats
camel · Bedouin · date palms · wildlife corridor · refuge · biodiversity · desert flora · watering hole
Middle Eastern nomadic herder
- caravanTraveling group with goods
- encampmentTemporary military or refugee settlement
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- ancient tradeExchange from distant eras
pilgrimage · tribal territory · desert crossing · shelter · water source · archaeological sites · pastoral · traditional knowledge
dry riverbed
Channel without current water
canyon · ravine · streambed · gully · desert terrain · arid landscape · flash flood zone · ephemeral stream · oasis · Negev
flash flood
Rapid overflow from storms
- runoffExcess water drainage
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
recharge · ephemeral · intermittent · precipitation · monsoon · rainy season · water table · sediment · alluvium · drainage basin
desert ecosystem
Arid region's living community
- acaciaThorny warm-climate shrub
- tamariskDrought-resistant flowering shrub
- palm grovesCultivated clusters of tropical trees
migratory birds · camel · Bedouin · date palms · wildlife corridor · refuge · biodiversity · desert flora · watering hole · vegetation
Bedouin
Middle Eastern nomadic herder
- caravanTraveling group with goods
- encampmentTemporary military or refugee settlement
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
ancient trade · pilgrimage · tribal territory · desert crossing · shelter · water source · archaeological sites · pastoral · traditional knowledge · camping