Thermal Giants of the Desert
Plants and the Environment
Jacob Boyle
- Grade:
- 6
- Teacher:
- Julie Sharkey
My project is about the saguaro cacti of the desert. I chose this project because I love desert life and wanted to learn how plants affect their environment. My project studied saguaro cacti, a keystone species, and how they influence soil temperature. I collected 600 data points comparing soil under saguaros to open desert soil and found that the cacti help keep the soil warmer in colder weather. This is important because it shows how saguaros create a warmer, more stable microhabitat that supports other desert plants and animals, highlighting their vital role in desert ecosystems. Keywords: cactus/cacti, saguaro, keystone species, soil temperature, microhabitat
This is a great project, and I can tell you put a lot of work into it. Well done!