Chapter 6 Notes

Biomes There are 2 types: Terrestrial Biomes (on land) Aquatic Biomes (in the water) Terrestrial Biomes Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes: . Savanna . Temperate grassland . Chaparral . Desert . Tundra Chapter 6 Section 3 Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Objectives Describe the difference between tropical and temperate grasslands. Describe the climate in a chaparral biome. Describe two desert animals and the adaptations that help them survive. Describe one threat to the tundra biome. Chapter 6 Section 2 Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Key Terms Savanna Permafrost Temperate grassland Chaparral Desert Tundra Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes Climates with less rainfall As precipitation decreases, species diversity decreases Biomes of the World Insects swarm over the Madagascar savanna. Grasslands in different regions have different names: Africa has savannas; Asia has steppes; South America has pampas; and North America has prairies. Savanna Tropical and subtropical grasslands found in Africa, western India, northern Australia, and South America Found near equator between tropical rain forest and desert biomes Grasses with a few scattered trees, shrubs, many with thorns Savanna Hot temperatures with wet and dry seasons Annual rainfall is between 50 and 127 cm Plants and animals most active during wet season Large variety of grazing animals and predators More species of grazing mammals than any other biome Savanna Grass fires are common during the dry season Fires help return nutrients to the soil Temperate Grasslands Temperate Grasslands Found north of the Tropic of Cancer or south of the Tropic of Capricorn Cold winters and hot summers Cover 25% of the land on Earth Characterized by tall perennial grasses and lack of trees Prairie dogs live in temperate grasslands. Prairie dogs live in colonies and burrow in the ground to build mounds, holes, and tunnels. Temperate Grasslands Because of the dry climate, trees are found only near water sources such as streams Usually receive between 50 and 90 cm of rainfall each year Summer temperatures can reach up to 38oC, and winter temperatures can fall to –40oC Chaparral Found between 32o and 40o latitude on the west coast of continents Receive between 35 and 70 cm of rain, usually in the winter Vegetation is extremely resistant to drought and weather events Chaparral Biomes Chaparral Grows between forest and grassland, or between desert and grassland biomes Many plants and trees have leathery leaves, gnarled bark, and intimidating thorns Often called “scrub” Chaparral Temperate woodlands are usually too dry to support a forest, but they receive sufficient precipitation to support vegetation that grows in bunches, such as the piñon and juniper trees shown here. Desert Desert Typically found between 25o and 40o latitude Temperatures typically range between 20oC and 25oC but some extreme deserts can reach temperatures higher than 38oC and lower than –15oC Desert Driest places on earth Receive less than 25 cm of rain each year Often located on the dry side of mountain ranges Little or no vegetation Desert Desert Tundra Treeless or marshy plain Characterized by permafrost – permanently frozen soil starting as high as a few centimeters below the surface – which severely limits plant growth Tundra Tundra Winter temperatures average –34oC while summer temperatures usually average below 10oC Low precipitation (15–25 cm per year) but ground is usually wet because of low evaporation Tundra with Alaska pipeline in the distance Tundra Arctic tundra can be found in Antarctica and the North Pole, North of the Arctic Circle Grass, lichen and herbs Very short warm season that is also very wet Many insects during warm season Tundra During its brief summer, the Alaskan tundra is covered by flowering plants and lichens. .

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