Low annual precipitation, high PE, pronounced water deficit 3. Hot year round, especially in summers. B. Dominant vegetation - sparse shrubland 1. Widely scattered woody shrubs aboveground, extensive root systems to collect soil water belowground. Not enough water to support trees or grasses.
Shrubs have deeper root systems than grasses, can penetrate down to soil moisture reserves at depth.
No vegetation, shifting sand dunes in some areas of desert. C. Many inventive plant strategies for dealing with drought 1. Drought endurers, or copers - perennials that live through drought.