Section 8.2 Steppes & Prairies Chapter 8 Grasslands Section 8.2 Steppes & Prairies

Steppe Steppe- grasslands of short bunchgrasses that get less than 50 cm of rain each year

Steppe location Western and southwestern edges of the grasslands Large areas of steppes exist within the wetter areas of the deserts of the Southwest and Great Basin

Steppe

Steppe climate Rapid evaporation High temperatures & winds 25cm + rain per year

Steppe grasses Short-grass prairies Bunchgrasses- short, fine-bladed grasses that grow in a clump Clumping helps save water and holds in water---roots are shallow like deserts

Prairies Prairie- grasslands characterized by rolling hills, plains, and sod-forming grasses Great Plains Large, fertile areas where we get most of our foods Breads and cereals

Prairie

Prairie climate 50-75cm rain per year Rainy seasons could supply more rain

Prairie grasses Soil can hold water well because animals create air spaces Roots form mats called sod Sod-forming grasses- grasses that form a mat of soil and roots

Prairie grasses Humus- as the roots of the grasses die, they form a layer of organic matter Humus holds moisture and provides nutrients

Steppe & Prairie Animals-adapted by migrating, hibernating, or burrowing underground Plants- adapted by using the wind for seed dispersal

Steppe & Prairie How might animals and plants react to colder areas of these biomes? How might animals and plants react to hot areas of these biomes?

Steppe & Prairie Over-grazing occurs when grazing animals eat too much in one place, which ruins the land

Over-grazing

Farmers Farmers needed more grazing animals, so they began to push out animals such as grizzly bears, bison, deer, and wolves

REVIEW!!! How are steppes & prairies similar? How are steppes & prairies different? How does desertification occur? Where could we see it happening in these biomes?