<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Vapor condensation, whether due to dew or fog, may add a stable and important source of water to deserts. This was also extensively assessed in the Negev, regarded as a dew desert. Dew deserts necessitate a large reservoir of vapor, and are therefore confined to near oceans or seas. Yet, examples of such deserts are scarce. Here we try to assess whether the Tabernas Desert in SE Spain can be regarded as a dew desert, and may therefore facilitate the growth of certain organisms that otherwise would not survive the dry season. We analyze some of the abiotic conditions of four relatively dry months (June, July, August, September) in the Tabernas and Negev deserts (with the Negev taken as an example of a dew desert) during 2003–2012. The analysis showed substantially lower values of relative humidity (by 10–13%) in the Tabernas in comparison to the Negev, with RH ≥95% being on average only 0.9–1.1 days a month in the Tabernas in comparison to 9.7–13.9 days in the Negev. Our findings imply that the Tabernas Desert cannot be regarded as a dew desert, suggesting that rain will be the main factor responsible for the food web chain in the Tabernas.</p></abstract>

Vapor condensation, whether due to dew or fog, may add a stable and important source of water to deserts. This was also extensively assessed in the Negev, regarded as a dew desert. Dew deserts necessitate a large reservoir of vapor, and are therefore confined to near oceans or seas. Yet, examples of such deserts are scarce. Here we try to assess whether the Tabernas Desert in SE Spain can be regarded as a dew desert, and may therefore facilitate the growth of certain organisms that otherwise would not survive the dry season. We analyze some of the abiotic conditions of four relatively dry months (June, July, August, September) in the Tabernas and Negev deserts (with the Negev taken as an example of a dew desert) during 2003–2012. The analysis showed substantially lower values of relative humidity (by 10–13%) in the Tabernas in comparison to the Negev, with RH ≥95% being on average only 0.9–1.1 days a month in the Tabernas in comparison to 9.7–13.9 days in the Negev. Our findings imply that the Tabernas Desert cannot be regarded as a dew desert, suggesting that rain will be the main factor responsible for the food web chain in the Tabernas.

Are coastal deserts necessarily dew deserts? An example from the Tabernas Desert

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Are coastal deserts necessarily dew deserts? An example from the Tabernas Desert"}

Vapor condensation, whether due to dew or fog, may add a stable and important source of water to deserts. This was also extensively assessed in the Negev,...

Are coastal deserts necessarily dew deserts? An example from the Tabernas Desert

Published Online: Feb 13, 2020

Page range: 19 - 27

Received: Nov 25, 2019

Accepted: Jan 14, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2020-0002

Keywords
Fog, Negev Desert, Relative humidity, Vapor condensation, Wind speed

© 2020 Giora J. Kidron et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Are coastal deserts necessarily dew deserts? An example from the Tabernas Desert

Published Online: Feb 13, 2020

Page range: 19 - 27

Received: Nov 25, 2019

Accepted: Jan 14, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2020-0002

KeywordsFog, Negev Desert, Relative humidity, Vapor condensation, Wind speed

© 2020 Giora J. Kidron et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Fog, Negev Desert, Relative humidity, Vapor condensation, Wind speed