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http://www.intute.ac.uk/images/BTH_deserts.jpg
http://www.leo.lehigh.edu/envirosci/weather/bitsofbiomes/images/worlddesertmap.jpg
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 20-25 degrees Celsius Others range from 40-50 degrees Celsius
Hot during the Day and Cold at Night
Examples: Cactus and Shrubs
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/0e/24/2e/cactus.jpg
http://www.public-domain-image.com/plants/flowers/slides/prickly-pear-cactus-in-texas.jpg
http://www.texaswildflowerpictures.com/wildflowers/mesquite.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
http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/images/hssustonguerbaz.jpg
http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/photographs700/desert-tortoise.jpg
http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/Eh/tdg-pronghorn-de.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
http://room42.wikispaces.com/file/view/2.jpg/33517415/2.jpg
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/savanna_location_map.gif
http://tiee.ecoed.net/vol/v5/practice/dalgleish/img/konza1-prairie-1600x1200.jpg
http://www.city-data.com/forum/general-u-s/987688-estimate-cover-great-plains.html
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
http://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/46007.jpg
http://www.earthpeace.com/images/ElephantGrass.jpg
Elephant Grass
Gum TreeKangaroo 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 SavannahExamples: Lion, Hyena,
Zebra, Gazelle
http://misc.qti.com/staff/greg/img/photos/emu.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_nbfHbMxrVCQ/SWtgDikWntI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/YvURvT6qfKY/Wild-Dog-Puppy-2.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Zebra_Botswana_edit02.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/o4/06/642806/1/64797441.j3lh4qEI.DSC_00491.JPG
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/steinmey_isaa/badger-badger.org.jpg
http://www.in-the-garden.eu/public/200910/bald-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