Desert air contains little moisture, so few clouds form over the land. Without clouds to block the sun, temperatures may reach as high as 125oF during the day. At night, without the clouds to contain the heat, the temperature can fall to as low as 40 degrees F. Extreme temperatures combined with little rainfall make desert life difficult for people, plants, and animals. Yet, some life forms have adapted to even the most severe desert environment. Camels are able to survive long periods without food or water.
Many desert plants have long, shallow root systems.
This allows the plants to reach out to collect water over great distances. Other desert plants have taproots. Taproots grow very deep so they can tap sources of underground water. Plantlife in the desert is usually spread out over great distances. This is why deserts are often described as barren, or lifeless.