Grasslands Biomes of the World

Location Grasslands are found in many places around world. Tropical- warmer climate Temperate-milder climate

Names of Grassland Grasslands have a variety of names Prairies and plains of North America Steppes of Asia Savannas of Africa Pampas of South America

Prairies and Plains

Prairies and Plains Both tall-grass and short-grass Grasses taller and more dense in the east and shorter in the west The air is moist and humid This allows for some very tall grasses of up to 10 feet Summers are warm and humid Winters are cold but not too extreme

Prairies and Plains Climate caused by mid continental location and border of the Rocky Mtns Precipitation Amounts can reach from about 12.6 inches in the short grass prairie to 21.7 inches in the tall grass prairies Amount of rainfall vary from 10-40 inches annually decreasing from east to west The most famous drought occurred in the 1930s, when the prairies were called the "Dust Bowl" Caused by over farming Temperature January average 20° F 70° F in July

Prairies and Plains Animals Most animals have adapted to the open, treeless prairie by digging burrows or nesting on the ground Prairie Dog Swift Fox Bald Eagle

Animal Adaptations •Bison - flat teeth to break down grass -excellent sense of hearing and smell -travel in herds either as a family or in packs of up to 50 when migrating • Prairie dogs - sharp incisor teeth allow them to clip grasses -strong hind legs to stand upright -build tunnels underground at an angle to prevent flooding but in case flooding

Prairies and Plains Plants Grasses with deep root systems keep the soil from blowing away Purple Coneflower Can survive drought, high temperatures, and poor soil Big Bluestem Grass- can withstand heavy grazing, stabilizes soil with long roots that can extend up to 10 ft Indian Grass- below ground structures are unharmed in fires

Steppes

Steppes The Steppe biome is a dry, cold, grassland Usually found between the desert and the forest. Very few people live there because of the climate Farmers would have a hard time growing crops because the soil is poor and temps can be low

Steppes Precipitation Temperature The Steppe climate tends to go in cycles where there may be 10 years or more of good rains followed by as many years of drought On average 10-20 in of rain per year Temperature varies a lot between summer and winter can reach temperatures of 104° F and have heavy thunderstorms in the summer In the winter there are no clouds to keep heat from escaping into the upper atmosphere. The land gets colder and colder. Winter temperatures of -40° F are not uncommon

Steppes Animals A lot of the animals that live in the Steppes are grazing animals Saiga Antelope- huge nose helps filter out dust and heats up air during the winter to reduce heat loss in its body Saker Falcon- migrates, feeds on rodents and small birds Northern Lynx- nocturnal, climb well, and can jump very high

Steppes Plants There are many plants in the Steppes. The main ones, of course, are different grasses Milk Vetch Tumbleweed Rhubarb

Savannas

Savannas A savanna is a rolling grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees, which can be found between a tropical rainforest and desert biome. Not enough rain falls on a savanna to support forests. Periods of drought, grazing by herbivores, and occasional fires prevent forests from growing

Savannas Animals Savannas have large herds of grazing, browsing, hoofed animals. Each animal has a specialized eating habit that reduces competition for food. Grant's Zebra- teeth sharp in the front and flat in the back, teeth keep growing entire life as they wear down by all the chewing Koala Bear- rough pads to grip the tree, sharp sense of smell African Elephant- trunk is made up of 150,000 muscles that aid in eating, drinking, water bathing, and communication

Savannas Plants Plants of the savannas are highly specialized to grow in this environment of long periods of drought. They have long tap roots that can reach the deep water table, thick bark to resist annual fires, trunks that can store water, and leaves that drop off during the winter to conserve water. Whistling Thorn Elephant Grass

Pampas

Pampas They are flat, fertile plains that covers an area of 300,000 sq. miles or 777,000 square kilometers, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains.

Pampas Precipitation Temperature There is an annual precipitation of 10 to 30 inches (100 to 150 cm) of rain. From December to February hardly any rain falls at all. Temperature range of 68° to 86° F (20° - 30° C) In the winter, it is usually about 68° to 78° F (20° - 25° C) In the summer the temperature ranges from 78° to 86° F (25° - 30° C).

Pampas Animals Animals on the Pampas have made adaptations to living in a windy grassland Many animals browse on grass or burrow in the ground. Geoffrey's Cat Greater Rhea

Pampas Plant Pampas Grass