Biome tour - Grasslands

Temperate grassland Less rain than TDF Like TDF TDF = temperate deciduous forest

Temperate grasslands Dominated by … grasses! Few trees—why? Very fertile soils—US midwest farm belt

Temperate grasslands Rainfall is much less than temperate deciduous forest Fires have also helped keep trees from growing Grasses rebound from fire quickly

Temperate grassland Soils are deep and fertile The main US farming region Prairie is the name for temperate grasslands in the midwest  They have largely disappeared under the farmer’s plow

Temperate Grassland Purple needlegrass Blue Grama Buffalo grass Galleta Asters Blazing Stars Coneflowers Goldenrods Sunflowers Clovers Psoraleas Wild Indigos

  Tundra Deciduous Forest Savanna Taiga Chaparral Rainforest Grassland Desert Alpine Desert-Scrub

Tundra Water is scarce, too Coldest biome

Tundra Cold and dry Growing season only 50-60 days Treeless Low biological diversity—compare to tropical rainforest

Tundra Soils form very slowly There is a layer of permanently frozen soil, called PERMAFROST, which limits root growth Result of permafrost: Waterlogged soils or bogs 

Tundra Animals have adaptations to the cold Fur Large and round Migratory—many birds breed in the tundra but spend 9-10 months elsewhere

Tundra Plants often low growing

  Tundra Deciduous Forest Savanna Taiga Chaparral Rainforest Grassland Desert Alpine Desert-Scrub

Tropical Savanna Warm and stable Seasonal rainfall: Dry and wet seasons

Tropical Savanna Serengeti plain, Kenya Note: Grassland, scattered trees large herbivores, temporary water

Tropical Savanna Warm, like tropical rainforest BUT: rainfall is seasonal, with a few months of drought

Tropical Savanna Plants: Animals Tall grasses Trees may or may not form a canopy Animals Depend on the seasonal rains Migrate in search of forage

  Tundra Deciduous Forest Savanna Taiga Chaparral Rainforest Grassland Desert Alpine Desert-Scrub