Tundra, Grass Lands
Transcript of 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