2. Climate Physical properties of the troposphere of an area based on analysis of its weather records over a long period Two main deciding factors are Temperature and Precipitation Climate determines what can plants and animals can live in an area.

3. Biomes are the major types of ecosystems found on earth. Each has unique qualities. – Desert – Tropical rain forest – Temperate deciduous forest – Coniferous forest – Savanna – Chaparral – Tundra – Temperate Grassland Biomes

4. Rain shadow effect

6. Prairie THE

7. What’s so special about a field….? Plants Animals Soil Three types of prairies: Tall-grass Short-grass Mixed-grass

8. Historically 95% of SD... currently 53%

9. Source

10. Tall-grass Prairie Wettest prairie Eastern South Dakota Prairies are areas dominated by grasses Plants and animals have evolved together in a mutually dependant relationship

12. Tall-grass Plant Community Grasses Big bluestem Switch grass Indian grass Western Wheatgrass Wettest prairie Eastern South Dakota

17. Tall-grass Plant Community Grasses Big bluestem Switch grass Indian grass Western Wheatgrass Forbs Coneflower Sunflower Goldenrod Wettest prairie Eastern South Dakota

23. What plants are missing….? Why?

29. Mixed grass prairie

30.  dominated by western wheat grass

33. Mixed grass prairie  central and western SD

35.  dominated by western wheat grass Mixed grass prairie  central and western SD  Majority of prairie remaining in South Dakota

37. Short-grass Prairie

39.  dominated by blue gramma and buffalo grass Short-grass Prairie

43.  dominated by blue gramma and buffalo grass Short-grass Prairie  Scattered spots in western South Dakota

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