Biotic Interactions in Arid Lands

The exigencies of life in the desert environment have resulted in the se­ lection of a diversity of adaptations, both morphological and physiologi­ cal, in the flora and fauna. At the same time, many plants and most small animals are able not merely to exist but even to thrive under desert conditions - mainly by avoiding thermal extremes and by the refine­ ment of pre-existing abilities to economise in water. In the same way, the biotic interactions of the flora and fauna of the desert do n...