Transcript Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes

Grassland, Desert, and Tundra
Biomes
Savannas
• Tropical and subtropical areas near equator
• Full of grasses, scattered trees, and shrubs
• Variety of grazing animals and their
predators
• Wet season (little rain) and dry season
• Grass fires restore nutrients to soil
Plants of Savanna
• Live a long time without water
• Horizontal root system
• Leaves shaped to conserve
water
• Thorns to warn off predators
Animals of the Savanna
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Migrating herbivores such as elephants
Predators follow the migrating animals
Birth given when food is plentiful
Herbivores eat food at
different heights
• Ex: gazelles, rhinos,
giraffes
Temperate Grasslands
Temperate Grassland
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Dominated by grasses; very few trees
Hot summers and cold winters
Moderate rainfall 50-88 cm/year
Most fertile soil of any grassland
Many have been replaced by farms and
grazing areas
• Little rain makes for good fire conditions
Temperate Grasslands
Plants of Temperate Grasslands
• Prairie grasses & Wildflowers
• Dense root systems to
withstand drought
and fires
• Few trees due to lack
of rain, too many fires,
and strong winds
Animals of Temperate Grasslands
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Pronghorn antelopes – teeth for grazing
Bison – teeth for grazing
Badgers – burrow for safety
Prairie Dogs – burrow
for safety
• Owls – burrow for safety
Threats to Temperature
Grasslands
• Farming and Overgrazing
• Soil erosion due to majority
of plants not being native
• Constant eating and trampling
decreases regeneration
of natural grasses
• Become desert-like biomes
Chaparral
Chaparral
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Broad-leaf evergreen shrubs
Primarily in coastal areas
Mediterranean climates
Warm, dry summers
Mild, wet winters
Plants of the Chaparral
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Low-lying, evergreen shrubs
Small trees in patches
Small, leathery leaves that hold moisture
Leaves also contain oils that promote fires
Small amounts of plants can propagate new
ones
• Oils give plants taste and smell
Animals of the Chaparral
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Camouflage
Shape
Coloring
To blend into the
environment
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Quail
Lizards
Chipmunks
Mule Deer
Threats to the Chaparral
• Human development
• Sun, near oceans, mild climate year-round
Deserts
Deserts
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> 25cm rainfall/year
Little or no vegetation
Extreme temperatures
Hot and cold deserts
Near large mountain
ranges
• Weather is blocked
Plants of the Desert
• Succulents – hold water
• Leaves are waxed coated
to prevent water loss
• Spines prevent predators
• Roots at surface to absorb
maximum rainfall
Animals of the Desert
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Reptiles: Gila monsters & rattlesnakes
Amphibians: spadefoot toad
Both estivate – bury until wet season
Elf Owl: burrows in cacti
Insects: protected with armor to prevent
moisture escaping
• Most animals are nocturnal
Tundra
• North of Artic Circle
• Short summers
• Under topsoil,
permanently frozen
• Swamps when top
of soil thaws
• Lots of mosquitoes
and blackflies
• Feeding frenzy for birds
Plants of the Tundra
• Rock covered by lichens and mosses
• Thin soil makes roots shallow
• Short plants able to avoid wind and absorb
maximum heat from sun
• Willow and juniper grow close to ground
Animals of the Tundra
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Migratory birds breed in summer
Mollusks, worms, insects are abundant
Caribou, deer and moose migrate
Wolves and foxes migrate after the
herbivores
• Mice, rabbits and lemmings burrow
• Some year rounders have camouflage
Threats to the Tundra
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Most fragile biome
Simple food chains are easily disrupted
Extreme conditions
Oil exploration is devastating for the animal
and plant life
• Oil spills are deadly to ecosystem