Final answer:
True, deserts have potential evapotranspiration rates that exceed the actual rates due to their extremely dry conditions where evaporation outpaces limited precipitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a desert is an area in which potential evapotranspiration rates exceed actual evapotranspiration rates is True. Deserts are characterized by their dry conditions, where evaporation often exceeds precipitation. For instance, subtropical deserts like the Sahara Desert in northern Africa or the Namib Desert in southwestern Africa are extremely dry due to the high-pressure, dry air descending at those latitudes.
These deserts receive little rainfall, often less than 30 cm (12 inches) annually, and have extreme temperature fluctuations with high daytime and low nighttime temperatures due to the low water vapor in the air. In such environments, water conservation is crucial for survival, which is why desert plants typically have smaller leaves to minimize water loss by evaporation.