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Transcript
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 • • • • 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 • • • • • 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few trees Hot summers and cold winters Moderate rainfall 50-88 cm/year Most fertile soil of any grassland Many have been replaced by farms and grazing areas • Little rain makes for good fire conditions Temperate Grasslands Plants of Temperate Grasslands • Prairie grasses & Wildflowers •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 • • • • 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 • • • • • Broad-leaf evergreen shrubs Primarily in coastal areas Mediterranean climates Warm, dry summers Mild, wet winters Plants of the Chaparral • • • • • 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 • • • • Camouflage Shape Coloring To blend into the environment • • • • Quail Lizards Chipmunks Mule Deer Threats to the Chaparral • Human development • Sun, near oceans, mild climate year-round Deserts Deserts • • • • • > 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 • • • • • 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 • • • • 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 • • • • 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