1. I. Introduction to Vegetation Regions A. Plants grow ALMOST everywhere on the Earth 1. except for the polar ice caps and the most barren spots of the desert B. Plants are INTERDEPENDENT 1. interdependent - plants rely on each other: a. shade, support, nourishment 2. plant community - the mix of different plants in one placeplant community - the mix of different plants in one place 3. environment - the physical conditions of a plant's natural surroundings a. different plants grow in different environments 4. natural vegetation - typical plant life of an area C. Four Different Categories of Vegetation Regions: 1. forest regions - grow on all continents except Antarctica a. most dominant plant life - trees 2. grasslands - usually found growing in the central areas of continents a. different types of grasses grow in different environments 3. desert regions - very sparse vegetation a. found in areas with little precipitation

2. 4. tundra regions - only certain plants can grow because of cold conditions a. alpine tundra - peaks of mountains b. permafrost - areas where the ground is permanently frozen II. Forest Vegetation Regions A. There are 3 Main Types of Forest Regions: 1. Tropical Rainforests: a. Found in areas near the Equator b. The foliage forms a dense canopycanopy *. this is like a "roof" of leaves *. thick undergrowth forms under gaps in the canopy 2. Mid-Latitude Forests: a. dominant trees of mid-latitude forests are deciduousdeciduous b. what does this mean? they shed their leaves during one season of the year - usually fall c. much of this type of forest has been cleared away throughout the world over the years 3. Coniferous Forests: a. found in northern parts of the Middle Latitudes b. these forests consist of needleleaf trees which are evergreen c. the trees are usually also cone-bearing: cone-bearing = "cone"- iferous

3. III. Grassland Vegetation Regions A. Tropical Grasslands:Tropical Grasslands 1. also called savannas 2. found near the Equator 3. 3 Distinct Seasons: a. wet b. dry c. fire B. Temperate Grasslands:Temperate Grasslands 1. In North America, they are called prairies a. grasses grow shorter as you move west 2. Called steppes in Northern Eurasia and Central Asia. 3. Called pampas in Argentina, and the veld in South Africa. IV. Desert Vegetation Regions A. How do plants survive in the desert?How do plants survive in the desert 1. efficiently store water 2. protect themselves from animals 3. seeds that sprout during rainfall 4. roots that seek out water V. Tundra Vegetation Regions A. Generally, smaller plants tend to grow in tundra areas: 1. lichens - mossy type of plants, often found growing on rockslichens B. Tundra plants make adaptations due to the lack of light: 1. some have large leaves that tilt toward the sun

4. C. Tundra plants must survive in unique conditions: 1. cold temps., short growing seasons a. permafrost - layer of soil just beneath the surface that is permanently frozen 2. soil layer above permafrost often soggy and waterlogged 3. very little sunlight for most of the winter

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