Biomes, Part 2

1
Biomes, Part 2

• Grasslands, Deserts, Tundra

2
Grasslands

• 2 types
• Savanna
• Temperate Grasslands

3
Savanna

• Africa, western India, northern Australia, some
  parts of South America
• Located in subtropical and tropical areas near
  equator between tropical rainforest and deserts.
• Little precipitation, have a wet and dry season
  (15 cm per year)
• Fires during dry season restore nutrients to
  soil.

4
Savanna
5
Plants of Savanna

• Plants must be able to survive prolonged periods
  without water (dry season).
• Have adapted long, horizontal root systems.
• Allow for quick recovery after fire.
• Trees may lose leaves during dry season to
  conserve water.
• Sharp thorns to keep herbivores away.

6
Animals of Savanna

• Grazing herbivores
• Migratory animals, predators that stalk the
  herds.
• Give birth only during rainy season.
• Species have adapted different heights to avoid
  competing with other herbivores (gazelle, rhino,
  giraffe)

7
(No Transcript)
8
Temperate Grasslands

• Dominated by grasses, few trees
• 50-88 cm of precipitation per year
• Hot summers, cold winters
• Most fertile soil of any biome, many have been
  replaced by farmland
• Interiors of continents
• Fires common
• Over-grazing and farming threat to regions

9
Temperate Grasslands
10
Plants of Temperate Grasslands

• Prairie grasses, wild flowers, perennials.
• Root systems in dense layers to survive droughts,
  fire, and hold soil in place.
• Height of plant depends on depth of root system.

11
Animals of Temperate Grasslands

• Grazing animals (pronghorn antelope, bison)
• Badgers, prairie dogs, owls
• Burrowing animals

12
(No Transcript)
13
Chaparral

• Temperate woodlands
• Broad-leaf evergreens
• Dry, hot summer and mild, rainy winter
• Coastal areas that have Mediterranean climates

14
Chaparral
15
Plants of Chaparral

• Low-lying, evergreen shrubs
• Chamise, manzanita, scrub oak, olive trees.
• Plants are well-developed for fires
• Small, oily leaves that can retain water

16
Animals of the Chaparral

• Animals that can camouflage
• Quail, lizards, chipmunks, mule deer

17
(No Transcript)
18
Desert

• Receive less than 25cm ran per year.
• Little or no vegetation
• Extreme temperatures hot or cold
• Often located near large mountain ranges that
  block passage of clouds, which limits
  precipitation

19
Desert
20
Plants of Desert

• Adaptations for retaining water
• Succulents waxy coating that prevents water loss
  and retains water
• Sharp spines to protect from thirsty animals

21
Animals of Desert

• Reptiles!!!
• Amphibians survive by estivating burying
  themselves in ground and sleeping through dry
  season
• Insects and spiders
• Nocturnal

22
(No Transcript)
23
Tundra

• Primarily Arctic Circle
• Short summers
• Permafrost (permanently frozen soil)
• Topsoil thaws for short periods, creating bogs
  and swamps

24
Tundra
25
Plants of Tundra

• Mosses, lichens, grasses (in summer)
• Dwarf versions of woody plants that grow flat or
  along the ground
• Threats oil exploration

26
Animals of Tundra

• Migratory animals come to breed in summer because
  food is abundant (mainly insects)
• Wolves, caribou, lemmings, mice, arctic foxes
• If year round resident, are insulated

27
(No Transcript)