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