T(h) = Tmin + (Tmax−Tmin)·sin²(π·h/24 shifted)
Moisture decays: dM/dt = Rain − k·M
Desert surface temperature swings 20-40°C between night and day because dry air and sparse vegetation cannot buffer heat. Plants (like cacti, CAM photosynthesis) open stomata only at night to save water; nocturnal animals emerge after sunset to avoid the heat.
- Time of Day — drives the sun position and the day/night temperature cycle.
- Rainfall Event — injects moisture into the soil, which then decays exponentially through evaporation.
- Sim Speed — accelerates the clock to observe multiple day/night cycles quickly.
- Toggle Nocturnal Animals — shows/hides small burrowing creatures that only surface at night when active.
Real-world use: this heat/moisture trade-off is exactly why desert agriculture and ecology research focus on night-time irrigation and shade structures to reduce evaporative loss.