Which of the following is true about deserts?

Deserts are often situated near the equator due to the specific climatic conditions that prevail in these regions. The equator receives a lot of direct sunlight, which leads to high temperatures. This warmth contributes to a tendency for air to rise, cool, and lose moisture before moving toward desert areas. The result is that many deserts are located in bands near the equator, where the dry conditions are maintained due to patterns of atmospheric circulation, particularly the subtropical high-pressure systems.

In contrast, the other statements about deserts do not align with their characteristics. Deserts are defined by low annual rainfall, not high, making the first statement inaccurate. While some deserts are located in the tropics, others exist at higher latitudes due to different climatic phenomena, meaning they are not exclusively found near the equator. Deserts typically have low net primary productivity (NPP) because vegetation there must adapt to extreme conditions, which leads to limited plant growth. Thus, it is incorrect to suggest that they have the highest NPP. Finally, many desert-dwelling animals have indeed adapted to the harsh climate, developing specialized behaviors and physiological traits to help them conserve water and manage temperature, thus making the assertion about a lack of adaptation incorrect.