Deserts

1
Deserts
http//www.intute.ac.uk/images/BTH_deserts.jpg
2
http//www.leo.lehigh.edu/envirosci/weather/bitsof
biomes/images/worlddesertmap.jpg
3
Abiotic Factors that characterize the Desert Biome

• Driest Biome on Earth!
• Hot Deserts and Cold Deserts
• Very little rainfall less than 9 inches per
  year
• Temperatures in Hot deserts range depending on
  the latitude lines.
• Some range from 20-25 degrees Celsius
• Others range from 40-50 degrees Celsius
• Hot during the Day and Cold at Night

4
Examples Cactus and Shrubs
http//media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/
0e/24/2e/cactus.jpg
Turpentine bush
Prickly Pear
http//www.public-domain-image.com/plants/flowers/
slides/prickly-pear-cactus-in-texas.jpg
http//www.texaswildflowerpictures.com/wildflowers
/mesquite.jpg
5
Plant Adaptations MUST CONSERVE ENERGY AND WATER
LOSS!

• Small leaves- less evaporation
• Hairy leaves- reduces evaporation and keeps in
  moisture
• Very shallow branching roots to absorb surface
  water
• Live close to ground- water wont need to travel
  up as far.
• Spikes or thorns prevent animals from eating them
  for their stored water.
• Stomata only open at night
• Stomata- opening on plants leaves that allows CO2
  in for photosynthesis.

6
Examples Rodents, Snakes, Lizards, Birds
http//www.californiaherps.com/lizards/images/hssu
stonguerbaz.jpg
http//www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/photograp
hs700/desert-tortoise.jpg
http//www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/imag
es/Eh/tdg-pronghorn-de.jpg
7
Animal Adaptations

• Store water in fatty tissues
• Reduce activity during the day
• Nocturnal - Hunt at night
• Burrow under ground during the day (Kangaroo Rat)
• Specialized kidneys that redirect water back
  into blood stream.
• Exoskeleton or scales reduce water loss.

8
Circulating blood thru large flat ears cools off
this rabbit.
9
Grasslands
10
Two Types of Grasslands

• Savanna
• - Tropical Climate, warmer and closer to the
  Equator

• Prairie
• - Temperate Climate, milder and found in the
  United States

Moderate Rainfall 50 to 90 cm per year (enough
to support grasses but not forests) Very Fertile
Soils! Bread Basket of the World
11
Grasslands- Savanna
http//room42.wikispaces.com/file/view/2.jpg/33517
415/2.jpg
12
http//www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/savanna_loc
ation_map.gif
13
Grasslands- prairie
http//tiee.ecoed.net/vol/v5/practice/dalgleish/im
g/konza1-prairie-1600x1200.jpg
14
http//www.city-data.com/forum/general-u-s/987688-
estimate-cover-great-plains.html
15
2 Seasons Wet Season and
16
Dry Season
17
Grasslands

• Two distinct seasons- Wet and Dry
• Averages around 60 inches of rain per year but
  six months with hardly any rainfall.
• Dry season increases chances of wild fires!

18
Examples Grasses, Wildflowers and Small Trees
http//www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/46007.jpg
Gum Tree
Kangaroo Paw
Elephant Grass
http//www.earthpeace.com/images/ElephantGrass.jpg
19
Deep, spread out roots allow grass to get water
even in drought.
Grass grows from the base- so even if eaten at
the tops, they stay alive and still grow.
20
Thin, vertical leaves, lose less water thru
evaporation
21

No low branches to keep leaves away from fire
22
Some animals have adapted to reach those tall
branches
23
Animals of The SavannahExamples Lion, Hyena,
Zebra, Gazelle
http//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83
/Zebra_Botswana_edit02.jpg
http//misc.qti.com/staff/greg/img/photos/emu.jpg
http//lh4.ggpht.com/_nbfHbMxrVCQ/SWtgDikWntI/AAAA
AAAAD0Y/YvURvT6qfKY/Wild-Dog-Puppy-2.jpg
24
http//i.pbase.com/o4/06/642806/1/64797441.j3lh4qE
I.DSC_00491.JPG
http//www.in-the-garden.eu/public/200910/bald-eag
le.jpg
Animals of the Prairie Prairie
dogs Bobcats Badgers Eagles
http//bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/steinmey_isaa
/badger-badger.org.jpg
25
Graze in herds- decrease your chances of being
the prey
Stripes add to camouflage
26

• Prairie dogs and other small mammals burrow to
  avoid dry windy conditions or predators

27
Specialized Teeth for Grazing
28

• Muscular bodies, strong legs, and tough hooves
  for running long distances

29
Camouflage for ambushing prey
30
Annual Rain fall for the Desert and Grassland
Biomes
Desert
Grasslands
31
Annual Temperatures for the Desert and Grassland
Biomes
Desert
Grasslands