A desert is an area in which
A)actual and potential evapotranspiration rates are roughly equal.
B)actual evapotranspiration rates exceed potential evapotranspiration rates.
C)potential evapotranspiration rates exceed actual evapotranspiration rates.
D)hot conditions exist throughout the year.
E)there is no water supply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A desert is defined as an area where potential evapotranspiration (the amount of water that would evaporate and transpire from a hypothetical, unlimited water supply) exceeds actual evapotranspiration (the amount of water that actually evaporates and transpires from the available water supply). This results in a lack of water availability, which is a defining characteristic of a desert.

A Desert Is an Area in Which