tundra, grass lands

8/2/2019 Tundra, Grass Lands

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The Tundra, Grasslands


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The TundraLocated in northernhemisphere in Alaska,Canada, Greenland,Iceland, Scandinavia,and RussiaLargest biome = 10%of earths surfaceSmallest variety of

organisms than anyother biomeFragile ecosystem dueto lack of biodiversity


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Tundra ClimateVery little precipitation


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Tundra plantsSummer growing season= 60 days

Mosses, shrubs, grasses,small wildflowers

Shallow roots, low to the

warm groundTrees look more likeshrubs, < 1m tall


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Tundra animalsMost are seasonal migrators i.e. BirdsFew predatorsBirds feed on insects, migrating predators feedon birdsSmall herbivores but no reptiles or amphibians


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Tundra animals adaptations for survival

Thick coatsWide hooves caribou easier to walk through snowor mudArtic fox buries food in permafrost to eat later in the

winterLarger bodies with small limbs and ears to conserveheat


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Threats to the tundraAir pollution kills lichen with is amajor food source for caribou herds

Building of structures that intefere withmigratory routes

Trans-Alaskan Oil Pipeline


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GrasslandsAn ecosystem where there is more water than in thedesert but not enough to support a forest

Located in Africa, central Asia, North America, SouthAmerica, Australia

Begin at the desert edges

Americas Heartland central US


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Grassland climateA little more rain than thedesert, enough to enablegrasses to grow

Hot, dry summers

More rain on the desert-grassland boundary causesgrassland to grow

Less rain on the desert-grassland boundary causes thedesert to grow


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Grassland organismsVegetation = grasses most commonRainfall = limiting factor

Animals = grazing herbivores, prairie dogs,

worms, insectsPredators of N. America = coyotes, foxes, birds ofprey, snakes


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Importance of grassland firesSparked by lightning

Occasional grassfires destroy trees andshrubs

Grasses survive because most of theirmass is below ground

Fires remove the organisms thatcompete with grasses for resources


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More on grass firesBurns away dead grasses and convertsthem into nutrients for the soil

Heat from fires aid in germination ofseeds


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Effects of the amount or rainfall

Rainfall determines size of grasses

More rain = taller grasses

Rainy season / dry season

Most vegetation is drought-resistant


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Adaptations of grassland animals

Speed of grazing herds like theantelope = escape from predators

Nocturnal animals stay in burrow

underground during day to avoid heatand predators

tundra, grass lands

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