Meltbowl

The meltbowl split from its ancestor within the cryobowls and has grown to ten times the size due to island gigantism. In order to retain water in the deserts of northern Fermi they are sealed to prevent evaporation. Indeed, the only break in their water proof chitin shell is the taproot, and that only after descending nearly a quarter of it's length. Roots on the inside of the bowl act to take in water and any dissolved nutrients. Because they are so tightly sealed the central reservoir is used for oxygen storage, with various fauna dwelling within capitalizing on this. The seal is broken yearly during the winter. The snow that falls during this time, the most precipitation the deserts receive all year, is funnelled into the bowl. One the seal grows back the inner chamber is warmed by the sun and the snow melts.