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Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

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Presentation on theme: "Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)"— Presentation transcript:

1 Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

2 Prairie-Location-North America  The middle of North America  The prairies are a type of grassland dominated by herbaceous plants and grasses.  Very few trees grow on the prairies and are usually widely scattered.  There are two major threats to grasslands - conversion to agriculture (or urban areas) and global warming and its attendant changes in precipitation.  There are two major threats to grasslands - conversion to agriculture (or urban areas) and global warming and its attendant changes in precipitation.

3 Prairie-Flora  The most common types of plant life on the North American prairie are Buffalo Grass, Sunflower, Crazy Weed, Asters, Blazing Stars, Coneflowers, Goldenrods, Clover, and Wild Indigos.  Much of the prairie has been plowed to make room for farmland.

4 Prairie- Fauna  Some common animals in the grasslands are Coyotes, Eagles, Bobcats, the Gray Wolf, Wild Turkey, Fly Catcher, Canadian Geese, Crickets, Dung Beetle, Bison, and Prairie Chicken.

5 Precipitation-Prairie  Precipitation in the prairies can reach from about 12.6 inches in the shortgrass prairie to 21.7 inches in the tallgrass prairies.  There is usually a long dry period during the summer months.  Every 30 years or so there is a long drought period which lasts for several years.  The most famous drought was in the 1930s, when the prairies were called the "Dust Bowl".

6 Temperature-Prairie  A wide range of temperatures, with hot summers and cold winters.  Strong winds blow across the endless plains during both summer and winter.

7 Savanna-Location  Savannas of one sort or another cover almost half the surface of Africa (about five million square miles, generally central Africa) and large areas of Australia, South America, and India.

8 Savanna-Precipitation  Savannas are always found in warm or hot climates where the annual rainfall is from about 20-50 inches per year.  It is crucial that the rainfall is concentrated in six or eight months of the year, followed by a long period of drought when fires can occur.

9 Savanna-Temperature  Savannas have warm temperature year round.  Average temp: 70-80 degrees year round

10 Savanna-Fauna  Animals (which do not all occur in the same savanna) include giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, kangaroos, mice, moles, gophers, ground squirrels, snakes, worms, termites, beetles, lions, leopards, hyenas, and elephants.  http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/gras s.htm http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/gras s.htm http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/gras s.htm

11 Savanna-Flora  Grasses are the dominant plant life in the savanna.  Different varieties are found in different savannas. Some grasses grow 6 to 9 feet tall.  Trees growing alone or in small clusters  In order for the grasses to survive the dry season and the periodic fires, they have developed an adaptation that allows them to grow quickly when there is adequate water.  In fact, fire stimulates new growth and replenishes the soil with nutrients.  acacia tree, baobab tree,

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