Steppes and Prairies

Steppes  Grasslands of short bunchgrasses that get less than 50 cm of rain a year.  Low rainfall but more than a desert.  Sparse plant life. High winds and high temperatures cause water to evaporate from the soil. Yearly temperatures range from -5 0 C (20 0 F) to 30 0 C (85 0 F).

Prairies   Make up most of grasslands in U.S.  Characterized by rolling hills, plains, and sod- forming grasses. 50 to 75 cm of rain a year.

Prairie Organisms Prairies *Prairie soil can hold water well. *Most grasses of prairies have roots that form a mat in the soil. *This mat of soil and roots is called sod.

Prairie Organisms  The grasses that form these are called sod- forming grasses, lawns are examples As the roots die, they form a layer of organic matter called humus which helps hold moisture and provides additional nutrients and food for grasses and other organisms to grow.

Steppe Organisms  Steppe  Referred to as short-grass prairies.  Grasses are known as bunchgrasses which are short, fine-bladed grasses that grow in a clump.  These hold water in a small shoot area. The fine blades help to prevent water from evaporating.

Animals   They adapt to these areas by hibernating, migrating, or burrowing underground. Prairie dogs are an example.