Abiotic Factors that characterize the Desert Biome Driest Biome on Earth! Hot Deserts and Cold Deserts Very little rainfall – less than 9 inches per year Temperatures in Hot deserts range depending on the latitude lines. Some range from degrees Celsius Others range from degrees Celsius Hot during the Day and Cold at Night
Examples: Cactus and Shrubs s/01/0e/24/2e/cactus.jpg image.com/plants/flowers/slides/prickly-pear-cactus-in- texas.jpg Prickly Pear Turpentine bush
Plant Adaptations: MUST CONSERVE ENERGY AND WATER LOSS! Small leaves- less evaporation Hairy leaves- reduces evaporation and keeps in moisture Very shallow branching roots to absorb surface water Live close to ground- water won’t need to travel up as far. Spikes or thorns prevent animals from eating them for their stored water. Stomata only open at night Stomata- opening on plants leaves that allows CO2 in for photosynthesis.
Examples: Rodents, Snakes, Lizards, Birds esert-tortoise.jpg
Animal Adaptations Store water in fatty tissues Reduce activity during the day Nocturnal - Hunt at night Burrow under ground during the day (Kangaroo Rat) Specialized kidneys that redirect water back into blood stream. Exoskeleton or scales reduce water loss.
Circulating blood thru large flat ears cools off this rabbit.
Grasslands
Two Types of Grasslands Savanna - Tropical Climate, warmer and closer to the Equator Prairie - Temperate Climate, milder and found in the United States Moderate Rainfall – 50 to 90 cm per year (enough to support grasses but not forests) Very Fertile Soils! – Bread Basket of the World
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2 Seasons: Wet Season and …
Dry Season
Grasslands Two distinct seasons- Wet and Dry Averages around 60 inches of rain per year but six months with hardly any rainfall. Dry season increases chances of wild fires!
Examples: Grasses, Wildflowers and Small Trees hantGrass.jpg Elephant Grass Gum Tree Kangaroo Paw
Deep, spread out roots allow grass to get water even in drought. Grass grows from the base- so even if eaten at the tops, they stay alive and still grow.
Thin, vertical leaves, lose less water thru evaporation
No low branches to keep leaves away from fire
Some animals have adapted to reach those tall branches
Animals of The Savannah Examples: Lion, Hyena, Zebra, Gazelle KY/Wild-Dog-Puppy-2.jpg /8/83/Zebra_Botswana_edit02.jpg
j3lh4qEI.DSC_00491.JPG eagle.jpg Animals of the Prairie: Prairie dogs Bobcats Badgers Eagles
Graze in herds- decrease your chances of being the prey Stripes add to camouflage
Prairie dogs and other small mammals burrow to avoid dry windy conditions or predators
Specialized Teeth for Grazing
Muscular bodies, strong legs, and tough hooves for running long distances
Camouflage – for ambushing prey
Desert Grasslands Annual Rain fall for the Desert and Grassland Biomes
Annual Temperatures for the Desert and Grassland Biomes Desert Grasslands