Science Chapter 6 - Land Biomes -Grasslands & Deserts

Grasslands

are usually found between deserts and forests. Some grasslands are flat. Others have gently rolling hills. The main vegetation, or plant life, is grass. Also has wildflowers but very few trees.

Prairies

A temperate type grassland located between the polar and tropical regions. Much of the central area of North America is covered by wide, grassy ________. This grassland has four seasons. Winters are cold and summers are warm. Most precipitation falls in late spring and early summer. Amount of rainfall is low to moderate

Water evaporates faster on the prairie

than in the forest

Savannas

Tropical grasslands that are located in tropical areas of Africa, Australia, South America, and India. Much warmer than prairies because _________ are located close to the equator. They are hot all year and have only two seasons--dry and wet. Receive 25 to 60 inches of rain. Most rain falls during wet season. During the dry season they receive less than 4 inches of rain.

One of the biggest differences between savannas and prairies is the number of trees each can support. Which has more trees?

Savannahs

The baobab tree

in the African savannas loses its leaves during the dry season. They look like they have been planted upside down. It stores water in its trunk during the wet season. During the dry season, the tree depends on the stored water.

Deserts

Receive very little precipitation. Most receive less than 10 inches of rain each year. Temperatures are extreme. During the day 100 degrees, but at night it can get below freezing.

Sahara Desert

The largest desert in Africa, is a hot desert.

Most of Antartica

is considered a desert

Nocturnal

Animals that are active at night but sleep during the day.

Succulent

A plant that can store water in its stem or leaves.

Because plants lose water through small pores on their leaves and stems. Because of this, many desert plants such as _________ and _________have waxy surfaces that help keep water inside the plant.

cactus and aloe

cold deserts

have cool winters and warm summers. These deserts are usually located between the tropics and the polar region.

Atacama Desert in Chile, and the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia

Are Cold Deserts

Many desert animals are

nocturnal

What is true of all deserts?

They receive very little precipitation (rain).

How are Savannas different from prairies?

They are much warmer because they are located close to the equator. They have only two seasons.

Grass

The main vegetation of grasslands.

How does being nocturnal or being active only and dusk or dawn benefit some desert animals?

Resting during the hot day helps them conserve energy and water, and to stay cool.

Prairie grasses often have their roots matted together and spread deep underground. What benefits does this provide?

This system prevents seed from trees and other plants from taking root. It also enables the grasses to grow again even after a fire or grazing animals have eaten them.

What are some ways God's design helps desert plants live in dry places with extreme temperatures?

Desert plants have the ability to store water. This water can provide enough moisture for the cactus for an entire year!

Long, deep roots / wide, shallow roots

Desert plants usually either have ________ _____ _____ or _____ ____ _____. Some have both.

Long deep roots

allow plants to reach water located deep under the ground.

Shallow roots

Spread out in many directions and can get water from a larger area of soil.