1. Section 3 Grasslands, Desert, & Tundra
Chapter 6
Section 3
Grasslands, Desert, & Tundra

2. Objectives
Describe the difference between tropical and temperate grasslands.
Describe the climate in a chaparral biome.
Describe two desert animals and the adaptations that help them survive.
Describe one threat to the tundra biome.

3. Grasslands- Savanna
Savannas - grasses and scattered trees and shrubs that are found in tropical and subtropical habitats- dry climate (east Africa and western India)
Receive little precipitation: wet season and dry season
Most animals active during wet season
Grass fires help restore nutrients to soil during dry season

7. Plants of the Savanna
Most rain falls during wet season- plants must be able to survive periods without water
Some plants have large horizontal root systems to help them survive dry season and grow quickly after a fire
Grasses have adaptations to conserve water; Some trees shed leaves
Most vegetation has thorns for protection from herbivores

8. Savanna Plants

9. Animals of the Savanna
Grazing herbivores (elephant) follow the rain to areas of new grass and fresh watering holes- predators stalk these animals for food
Animals give birth during the rainy season- food is abundant and increases the survival rate
Some species reduce competition for food by eating vegetation at different heights - vertical feeding pattern

10. Savanna animals

11. Grasslands- Temperate (Prairie)
Temperate grasslands -communities dominated by grasses, few trees, and characterized by hot summers and cold winters, with intermediate rainfall
Have the most fertile soil of any biome
Few natural temperate grasslands remain-many have been replaced by farms growing crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat

13. Grasslands- Temperate (Prairie)
Located on the interior of continents where too little rain falls for trees to grow and include the prairies of North America
Heavy precipitation is rare, allowing the hot temperatures in the summer to make the grasslands susceptible to fires

16. Grasslands- Temperate (Prairie)- Plants
Root system of prairie grasses form dense layers- survive drought and fire allowing the plants to come back from year to year
Few trees because of the lack of rainfall, fire, and constant winds
Amount of rainfall in the area determines types of plants that will grow

18. Grasslands- Temperate (Prairie)- Animals
Grazing animals: bison and pronghorn antelope- have large, flat teeth for chewing the coarse prairie grasses
Prairie dogs, owls, and badgers, live protected in underground burrows that protect them from predators

19. Grasslands- Temperate (Prairie)- Threats
Farming and overgrazing
Crops cannot hold the soil in place as well as native grasses because the roots of crops are shallow and erosion occurs
Erosion also occurs as the grasses are constantly eaten and trampled
Constant use can change these grasslands into desert-like biomes

20. Grasslands- Chaparral
Chaparral - temperate woodland biome with broad leafed evergreen shrubs and is located in areas with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters
Located in the middle latitudes, about 30° north and south of the equator
Primarily in coastal areas that have Mediterranean climates

24. Grasslands- Chaparral Plants
Evergreen shrubs and small trees that tend to grow in dense patches: Manzanita, scrub oak, and herbs (sage & bay)
Plants have small, leathery leaves that contain oils that promote burning, allowing natural fires to destroy competing trees
Well adapted to fire

25. Grasslands- Chaparral Animals
Adaptation: camouflage, shape or coloring that allows an animal to blend into its environment
Animals: quail, lizards, chipmunks, and mule deer have a brownish gray coloring that lets them move through the brush without being noticed

26. Grasslands- Chaparral Threats
Humans tend to develop lands of the chaparral for commercial and residential use because these biomes get a lot of sun, are near the oceans, and have a mild climate year round

27. Deserts
Deserts - regions that have little or no vegetation, long periods without rain, and extreme temperatures
Hot & cold deserts- driest places on Earth
Often located near large mountain ranges because mountains can block the passage of moisture-filled clouds, limiting precipitation

31. Desert Plants
Have adaptations for obtaining and conserving water, which allows the plants to live in dry, desert conditions.
Succulents- (cactuses) have thick, fleshy stems and leaves that conserve water
Many plant roots spread out just under the surface to absorb as much rain as possible

33. Desert Animals Animals adapted to prevent water loss
Reptiles- thick, scaly skin that prevents water loss
Amphibians - estivating, or burying themselves in the ground and sleeping through the dry season
Insects - covered with body armor that helps retain water
Most animals are nocturnal

35. Tundra
Tundra - located in the Arctic or Antarctic and is characterized by very low winter temperatures, short, cool summers, and vegetation that consists of grasses, lichens, and perennial herbs
Summers are short, so only the top few centimeters of soil thaw
Permafrost - permanently frozen layer of soil

39. Tundra Plants Mosses and lichens cover rocks
Soil is thin, so plants have wide shallow roots to help anchor
Most flowering plants are short to avoid the wind and gain heat
Woody plants and perennials have evolved dwarf forms that grow flat along the ground

41. Tundra Animals
Millions of migratory birds breed in the summer when food is abundant
Caribou migrate in search of food and water
Predators such as wolves prey on migratory caribou, deer, and moose
Rodents burrow underground- stay active
Arctic foxes and snowshoe hares lose their brown summer coat for white fur

43. Tundra Threats One of the most fragile biomes on the planet
Food chains are relatively simple so they are easily disrupted
Oil was located here- oil exploration, extraction, and transport
Pollution caused by spills or leaks of oil and other toxic materials may poison the food and water sources of organisms

44. What are the differences?

45. REVIEW!!!
Describe the difference between tropical and temperate grasslands.
Describe the climate in a chaparral biome.
Describe two desert animals and the adaptations that help them survive.
Describe one threat to the tundra biome.