The Indian Desert
Marusthali · Eolian Landforms · Arid Drainage
MICRO-REALM 01
Marusthali
- GREAT INDIAN DESERT (THAR)
- NORTH-WEST OF ARAVALLIS
- EXTREME ARIDITY
MICRO-REALM 02
Paleogeography
- MESOZOIC MARINE SUBMERGENCE
- AKAL WOOD FOSSIL PARK
- MARINE DEPOSITS (BRAHMSAR)
MICRO-REALM 03
Barchan Dunes
- CRESCENT-SHAPED SAND DUNES
- HORNS POINT DOWNWIND
- COMMON IN JAISALMER
MICRO-REALM 04
Longitudinal Dunes
- SEIFS / PARALLEL RIDGES
- ALIGNED WITH WIND DIRECTION
- INDO-PAK BORDER REGION
MICRO-REALM 05
Interdunal Plains
- FLAT ZONES BETWEEN DUNES
- ROHOI (FERTILE TRACTS)
- SEASONAL AGRICULTURE
MICRO-REALM 06
Arid Drainage
- EPHEMERAL STREAMS
- LUNI RIVER (LARGEST)
- DRAINS INTO RANN OF KACHCHH
MICRO-REALM 07
Inland Drainage
- PLAYAS / SHALLOW DEPRESSIONS
- BRACKISH WATER LAKES
- SAMBHAR LAKE (SALT YIELD)
MICRO-REALM 08
Eolian Landforms
- WIND EROSION DOMINANT
- MUSHROOM ROCKS / PEDESTALS
- YARDANGS & ZEUGE
MICRO-REALM 09
Extreme Climate
- HIGH DIURNAL RANGE
- SCORCHING DAYS, COLD NIGHTS
- RAINFALL < 150MM/YEAR
MICRO-REALM 10
Xerophytes
- DROUGHT-RESISTANT FLORA
- THORNY SCRUB & CACTI
- DEEP ROOTS, THICK CUTICLES
MICRO-REALM 11
Rajasthan Bagar
- SEMI-ARID TRANSITION ZONE
- BETWEEN ARAVALLIS & DESERT
- STEPPE VEGETATION
MICRO-REALM 12
Desertification
- ADVANCING SAND DUNES
- ECOLOGICAL THREAT
- COMBATED BY SHELTERBELTS