Republic of the Philippines

PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY

Goa, Camarines Sur

College of Education

Module 12: Arid and Semi-Arid Environments

Course Code: SSED12 Week No./Date: Week 12/ November 1-5,

2021
Course Title: Geography 3: Physical Geography Professor: Ralph C. Navelino
Section: BSED-SS3A Term: 1st Semester 2021-2022

A. Introduction

The main objective of this module is to introduce students to widespread concern over the magnitude
and frequency of extreme climatic events such as floods, droughts and heat waves as a result of global climatic
changes caused by human activities and natural variations. If these trends continue, these regions of the world
that already experience large variations in precipitation from year to year are thought likely to experience an
even higher degree of variability, which will require more flexible strategies of risk management among the
pastoral and agricultural communities concerned. Arid (including hyper-arid) and semi-arid areas occupy some
36% of the land area of the globe and dry sub-humid regions of the world, with their long dry seasons and
short wet seasons, then we are dealing with about half the land area of the earth

B. Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the arid and semi-arid environments;
2. examine the importance of soil properties in arid zone; and
3. create informatics map showing arid lands in the Philippines.

C. Learning Content

INTRODUCTION
Arid regions by definition receive little precipitation—less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain per year.
Semi-arid regions receive 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 centimeters) of rain per year. Although the rocks and
tectonic features underlying arid regions may not differ from other areas, the landscape is distinctive. With
little vegetation and often loose surface material, erosion is the main factor in shaping the land surface. Arid
environments are extremely diverse in terms of their land forms, soils, fauna, flora, water balances, and human
activities. Because of this diversity, no practical definition of arid environments can be derived. However, the
one binding element to all arid regions is aridity.

Erosional processes in arid and semi-arid regions include:

 mass wasting (surface creep, landslides, mud and debris flows, and rock topples and falls),
 water-driven or fluvial processes, and
 wind-driven or aeolian processes (dust, loess, sand dunes).

Surprisingly, water is an important agent of erosion in arid lands. Although streams may only be active during
and right after a heavy rain, running water during a flash flood can carry tremendous amounts of material.

Module 12: Arid and Semi-Arid Environments Page 1 of 8

 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

Causes of Aridity

Module 12: Arid and Semi-Arid Environments Page 2 of 8

 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

Aridity results from the presence of dry, descending air. Therefore, aridity is found mostly in places
where anticyclonic conditions are persistent, as is the case in the regions lying under the anticyclones
of the subtropics.

The influence of subtropical anticyclones on rainfall increases with the presence of cool surfaces. Arid
conditions also occur in the lee of major mountain ranges that disrupt the structure of cyclones passing
over them, creating "rain shadow" effects. Rainfall is also hindered by the presence of greatly heated
land surfaces; as a consequence, large areas of dry climate exist far from the sea.

Arid Zone Climate

The arid zone is characterized by excessive heat and inadequate, variable precipitation; however, contrasts in
climate occur. In general, these climatic contrasts result from differences in temperature, the season in which
rain falls, and in the degree of aridity. Three major types of climate are distinguished when describing the arid
zone: the Mediterranean climate, the tropical climate and the continental climate.

In the Mediterranean climate, the rainy season is during autumn and winter. Summers are hot with no rains;
winter temperatures are mild. Figure 1.1 illustrates the Mediterranean climate, with a wet season starting in
October and ending in April or May, followed by 5 months of dry season.

In the tropical climate, rainfall occurs during the summer. The greater the distance from the Equator, the
shorter the rainy season. Winters are long and dry. In Sennar, Sudan, an area that is typical of the tropical
climate, the wet season extends from the middle of June until the end of September, followed by a dry season
of almost 9 months (Figure 1.2).

Module 12: Arid and Semi-Arid Environments Page 3 of 8

 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

In the continental climate, the rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year, although there is a tendency
toward greater summer precipitation. In Alice Springs, Australia, each monthly precipitation is less than twice
the corresponding mean monthly temperature; hence, the dry season extends over the whole year (Figure 1.3)

Rainfall

The rainfall that falls from the atmosphere at a particular location is either intercepted by trees, shrubs,
and other vegetation, or it strikes the ground surface and becomes overland flow, subsurface flow, and
groundwater flow. Regardless of its deposition, much of the rainfall eventually is returned to the
atmosphere by evapotranspiration processes from the vegetation or by evaporation from streams and
other bodies of water into which overland, subsurface, and groundwater flow move, as illustrated by
the hydrologic cycle in Figure 1,4. The relative dynamics of the hydrologic cycle in an area are
determined, in large part, by the spatial and temporal nature of the rainfall patterns, temperature and
atmospheric humidity regimes, soil and topographic features, and vegetative characteristics of the area.

Module 12: Arid and Semi-Arid Environments Page 4 of 8

 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

Unlike conditions in temperate regions, the rainfall distribution in arid zones varies between summer
and winter. For example, Rabat, Morocco, receives rain during the cold winter period, while the warm
summer months are almost devoid of rainfall. On the other hand, Sennar, Sudan, has a long dry season
during the winter, while the rains fall during the summer months. Although Rabat and Sennar receive
about the same amount of rainfall, the variation in rainfall is considerable. Winter rains in Rabat can
penetrate the soil to underground storage, while the summer rains in Sennar fall on a hot soil surface
and are lost to evaporation, particularly when rain falls in the form of light showers. Therefore, the
effective rainfall available to plants is higher in Rabat than in Sennar.

This example shows that more annual precipitation is required in summer rainfall areas than in cooler
winter rainfall climates to obtain the same amount of water available to the plants. However, where
plants are dormant during the winter, they cannot completely use the available water during that period.

Rainfall also varies from one year to another in arid zones; this can easily be confirmed by looking at
rainfall statistics over time for a particular place. The difference between the lowest and highest rainfall
recorded in different years can be substantial, although it is usually within a range of ± 50 per cent of
the mean annual rainfall. The variation in monthly rainfall is even greater.

In most instances, the expected rainfall in a given place is not the same as the mean annual rainfall
recorded over a number of years. Variation in rainfall is important to forestry activities, because when
the rains fail, newly-established forest plantations suffer. The selection of a planting date to coincide
with rainfall is of paramount importance to the success of a forest plantation.

Arid Zone Soils and Importance of Soil Properties

Soils are formed over time as climate and vegetation act on parent rock material. Important aspects of soil
formation in an arid climate:
1. Significant diurnal changes in temperature, causing mechanical or physical disintegration of rocks.
2. Wind-blown sands that score and abrade exposed rock surfaces.
The physical disintegration of rocks leaves relatively large fragments; it is only chemical weathering which can
break up these fragments. The process of chemical weathering in arid zones is slow because of the
characteristic water deficit. Also, extended periods of water deficiencies are important in the elimination or
leaching of soluble salts, for which the accumulation is enhanced by the high evaporation. Short periods of

Module 12: Arid and Semi-Arid Environments Page 5 of 8

 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

water runoff do not permit deep penetration of salts (only short-distance transport), often resulting in
accumulation of salts in closed depressions.

Vegetation plays a fundamental role in the process of soil formation by breaking up the rock particles and
enriching the soil with organic matter from aerial and subterranean parts. However, this role of the vegetation
is diminished in arid zones because of the sparse canopy cover and the limited development of aerial parts.
Nevertheless, the root systems often exhibit exceptional development and have the greatest influence on the
soil.

A forester is usually more concerned with the soil properties that are important to support growth of trees and
shrubs than with the evolution of the soil profile or with the systems of regional soil classification. Of primary
importance for arid zone soils are the water-holding capacity and the ability to supply nutrients.
The water-holding capacity of a soil depends on its physical characteristics, including texture, structure, and soil
depth. Texture refers to the relative distribution of the particles (clay, sand, and silt). In general, the finer the
texture, the greater is the water retention. Structure, the internal arrangement of the soil particles, is
influenced by the amount of organic matter that binds the soil particles. Sandy soils have no structure; clayey
soils have different forms of structure and the spaces between particles enable circulation of air and water. The
larger these spaces, the greater is the permeability.

The chemical properties of soil control the availability of nutrients. Arid soils are characterized by significant
leaching of nutrients and intensive weathering of minerals, although these two activities are slowed with
decreasing rainfall. Natural fertility (which largely depends upon the organic matter content of the topsoil) is
often low. Because of the aridity of the climate, edaphic characteristics which ease the water constraints will be
favorable to planting of trees or shrubs. Some of these edaphic characteristics are:
a. The presence of a water table at a depth attainable by the roots.
b. A soil thickness adequate to allow a water reserve.
c. A soil texture which retains the maximum amount of water.

It should not be overlooked that the topography of the terrain can also play an important role. For instance,
the shallows and the lower parts of sand dunes can accumulate a considerable quantity of water which can be
used by an adapted vegetation. Finally, because arid zone soils are vulnerable to both wind and water erosion,
soil fixation and conservation are important.

D. Learning Activities and Assessment Tasks

Task 1. Q & A: Answer the following questions in two to three sentences only regarding Geomorphology.

1. What are the different forms of geomorphology?

2. Illustrate the geomorphic process, systems and models?

3. Identify the geomorphology of the Philippine landscape.

Task 2. Geomorphic Map: Create a geomorphic map showing the geomorphology of the Philippines.

Scoring Rubric:

Criteria 4 3 2 1
Title Title tells the Title tells the Title tells the Purpose/content of
purpose/content of purpose/content of purpose/content of the map is not clear
the map, is clearly the map and is the map, but is not from the title.
distinguishable as printed at the top located at the top
the title (e.g. larger of the map. of the map.
letters, underlined,

Module 12: Arid and Semi-Arid Environments Page 6 of 8

 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

etc), and is printed

at the top of the
map.
Labels & Features - 90-100% of the 89-80% of the 79-70% of the Less than 70% of
Neatness labels/features can labels/features can labels/features can the labels/features
be read easily. be read easily. be read easily. can be read easily.
Color Choices Student always
Student usually Student sometimes
uses color
uses color uses color
appropriate for Student does not
appropriate for appropriate for
features (e.g. blue use color
features (e.g. blue features (e.g. blue
for water; black for appropriately.
for water; black for for water; black for
labels, etc.) on
labels, etc.). labels, etc.).
map.
Map Key/Legend Map Key is present, Map Key is/is not
Map Key is present, Map Key is present
neat, and has 3 or present and has 0-3
neat, and has 3 and has 1-2
more symbols that symbols that
symbols that are symbols that are
are used on the are/are not used
used on the map. used on the map.
map. on the map.
Written Description Less than half page
More than half Half page written
written about map
page written about about map and
and may or may
map and includes: includes:
not include: Less than half page
___ What is on ___ What is on written about map
___ What is on and does not
map map
map include elements
___ Special facts ___ Special facts outlined in
___ Special facts directions.
about landmarks about landmarks
about landmarks
___ Extra facts/info ___ Extra facts/info
___ Extra facts/info
included included
included

E. Assignment: Answer the following question in two to three sentences only.

1. Describe the effect of erosion in the physical geography of earth.

2. What are the roles of local government unit in mitigating natural disasters?

3. Identify the different areas in the Philippines which are prone to erosions.

F. References:
Hess, Darell (2013). McKnight’s Physical Geography Third California Edition. Prentice Hall Printing Press

Rosenberg, Matt (2020, February 26). What is Physical Geography? https://www.thoughtco.com/physical-

geography-overview-14353453.

Hugget, Richard John (2011). Fundamentals of Geomorphology. Routledge Publishing Group

Goudie, Andrew S (2013). Arid and Semi-Arid Geomorphology. Cambridge University Press

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved:

Module 12: Arid and Semi-Arid Environments Page 7 of 8

 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

RALPH C. NAVELINO JOAN A. MONFORTE, PhD MARITA S. MAGAT, PhD

FACULTY PROGRAM DIRECTOR DEAN

Module 12: Arid and Semi-Arid Environments Page 8 of 8