1. Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes

2. Savannas Tropical and subtropical areas near equator
Full of grasses, scattered trees, and shrubs
Variety of grazing animals and their predators
Wet season (little rain) and dry season
Grass fires restore nutrients to soil

3. Plants of Savanna Live a long time without water
Horizontal root system
Leaves shaped to conserve
water
Thorns to warn off predators

4. Animals of the Savanna Migrating herbivores such as elephants
Predators follow the migrating animals
Birth given when food is plentiful
Herbivores eat food at
different heights
Ex: gazelles, rhinos,
giraffes

6. Temperate Grasslands

7. Temperate Grassland Dominated by grasses; very few trees
Hot summers and cold winters
Moderate rainfall cm/year
Most fertile soil of any grassland
Many have been replaced by farms and grazing areas
Little rain makes for good fire conditions

8. Temperate Grasslands

9. Plants of Temperate Grasslands
Prairie grasses & Wildflowers
Dense root systems to
withstand drought
and fires
Few trees due to lack
of rain, too many fires,
and strong winds

10. Animals of Temperate Grasslands
Pronghorn antelopes – teeth for grazing
Bison – teeth for grazing
Badgers – burrow for safety
Prairie Dogs – burrow
for safety
Owls – burrow for safety

11. Threats to Temperature Grasslands
Farming and Overgrazing
Soil erosion due to majority
of plants not being native
Constant eating and trampling
decreases regeneration
of natural grasses
Become desert-like biomes

12. Chaparral

13. Chaparral Broad-leaf evergreen shrubs Primarily in coastal areas
Mediterranean climates
Warm, dry summers
Mild, wet winters

14. Plants of the Chaparral
Low-lying, evergreen shrubs
Small trees in patches
Small, leathery leaves that hold moisture
Leaves also contain oils that promote fires
Small amounts of plants can propagate new ones
Oils give plants taste and smell

15. Animals of the Chaparral
Camouflage
Shape
Coloring
To blend into the environment
Quail
Lizards
Chipmunks
Mule Deer

16. Threats to the Chaparral
Human development
Sun, near oceans, mild climate year-round

17. Deserts

18. Deserts > 25cm rainfall/year Little or no vegetation
Extreme temperatures
Hot and cold deserts
Near large mountain
ranges
Weather is blocked

19. Plants of the Desert Succulents – hold water Leaves are waxed coated
to prevent water loss
Spines prevent predators
Roots at surface to absorb
maximum rainfall

20. Animals of the Desert Reptiles: Gila monsters & rattlesnakes
Amphibians: spadefoot toad
Both estivate – bury until wet season
Elf Owl: burrows in cacti
Insects: protected with armor to prevent moisture escaping
Most animals are nocturnal

22. Tundra North of Artic Circle Short summers Under topsoil,
permanently frozen
Swamps when top
of soil thaws
Lots of mosquitoes
and blackflies
Feeding frenzy for birds

23. Plants of the Tundra Rock covered by lichens and mosses
Thin soil makes roots shallow
Short plants able to avoid wind and absorb maximum heat from sun
Willow and juniper grow close to ground

25. Animals of the Tundra Migratory birds breed in summer
Mollusks, worms, insects are abundant
Caribou, deer and moose migrate
Wolves and foxes migrate after the herbivores
Mice, rabbits and lemmings burrow
Some year rounders have camouflage

27. Threats to the Tundra Most fragile biome
Simple food chains are easily disrupted
Extreme conditions
Oil exploration is devastating for the animal and plant life
Oil spills are deadly to ecosystem