grasslands savanna (tropical grassland) and prairie (temperate grassland)

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Grasslands Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Prairie (Temperate Grassland) Grassland)

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Page 1: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

GrasslandsGrasslandsSavanna (Tropical Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Grassland) and

Prairie (Temperate Prairie (Temperate Grassland)Grassland)

Page 2: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Prairie-Location-North AmericaPrairie-Location-North America The middle of North AmericaThe middle of North America The prairies are a type of The prairies are a type of

grassland dominated by grassland dominated by herbaceous plants and herbaceous plants and grasses.grasses.

Very few trees grow on the Very few trees grow on the prairies and are usually widely prairies and are usually widely scattered. scattered.

There are There are twotwo major threats to major threats to grasslands - grasslands - conversion to conversion to agricultureagriculture (or urban areas) (or urban areas) and and global warming global warming and its and its attendant changes in attendant changes in precipitation. precipitation. 

Page 3: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Prairie-FloraPrairie-Flora

The most common types of plant life on The most common types of plant life on the North American prairie are Buffalo the North American prairie are Buffalo Grass, Sunflower, Crazy Weed, Asters, Grass, Sunflower, Crazy Weed, Asters, Blazing Stars, Coneflowers, Goldenrods, Blazing Stars, Coneflowers, Goldenrods, Clover, and Wild Indigos. Clover, and Wild Indigos.

Much of the prairie has been plowed to Much of the prairie has been plowed to make room for farmland.make room for farmland.

Page 4: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Prairie- FaunaPrairie- Fauna

Some common animals in the grasslands Some common animals in the grasslands are Coyotes, Eagles, Bobcats, the Gray are Coyotes, Eagles, Bobcats, the Gray Wolf, Wild Turkey, Fly Catcher, Canadian Wolf, Wild Turkey, Fly Catcher, Canadian Geese, Crickets, Dung Beetle, Bison, and Geese, Crickets, Dung Beetle, Bison, and Prairie Chicken.Prairie Chicken.

Page 5: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Precipitation-PrairiePrecipitation-Prairie

Precipitation in the prairies can reach from about Precipitation in the prairies can reach from about 12.6 inches in the shortgrass prairie to 21.7 12.6 inches in the shortgrass prairie to 21.7 inches in the tallgrass prairies.inches in the tallgrass prairies.

There is usually a long dry period during the There is usually a long dry period during the summer months.summer months.

Every 30 years or so there is a long drought Every 30 years or so there is a long drought period which lasts for several years. period which lasts for several years.

The most famous drought was in the 1930s, The most famous drought was in the 1930s, when the prairies were called the "Dust Bowl". when the prairies were called the "Dust Bowl".

Page 6: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Temperature-PrairieTemperature-Prairie

A wide range of temperatures, with hot A wide range of temperatures, with hot summers and cold winters. summers and cold winters.

Strong winds blow across the endless Strong winds blow across the endless plains during both summer and winter. plains during both summer and winter.

Page 7: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Savanna-LocationSavanna-Location

Savannas of one Savannas of one sort or another sort or another cover almost half cover almost half the surface of the surface of Africa (about five Africa (about five million square million square miles, generally miles, generally central Africa) and central Africa) and large areas of large areas of Australia, South Australia, South America, and America, and India. India.

Page 8: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Savanna-PrecipitationSavanna-Precipitation

Savannas are always found in warm or hot Savannas are always found in warm or hot climates where the annual rainfall is from climates where the annual rainfall is from about 20-50 inches per year. about 20-50 inches per year.

It is crucial that the rainfall is concentrated It is crucial that the rainfall is concentrated in six or eight months of the year, followed in six or eight months of the year, followed by a long period of drought when fires can by a long period of drought when fires can occur. occur.

Page 9: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Savanna-TemperatureSavanna-Temperature

Savannas have warm temperature year Savannas have warm temperature year round.round.

Average temp: 70-80 degrees year roundAverage temp: 70-80 degrees year round

Page 10: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Savanna-FaunaSavanna-Fauna

Animals (which do not all occur in the Animals (which do not all occur in the same savanna) include giraffes, zebras, same savanna) include giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, kangaroos, mice, moles, buffaloes, kangaroos, mice, moles, gophers, ground squirrels, snakes, worms, gophers, ground squirrels, snakes, worms, termites, beetles, lions, leopards, hyenas, termites, beetles, lions, leopards, hyenas, and elephants. and elephants.

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/grashttp://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/grass.htms.htm

Page 11: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Savanna-FloraSavanna-Flora

Grasses are the dominant plant life in the savanna.Grasses are the dominant plant life in the savanna. Different varieties are found in different savannas. Some Different varieties are found in different savannas. Some

grasses grow 6 to 9 feet tall. grasses grow 6 to 9 feet tall. Trees growing alone or in small clusters Trees growing alone or in small clusters In order for the grasses to survive the dry season and In order for the grasses to survive the dry season and

the periodic fires, they have developed an adaptation the periodic fires, they have developed an adaptation that allows them to grow quickly when there is adequate that allows them to grow quickly when there is adequate water. water.

In fact, fire stimulates new growth and replenishes the In fact, fire stimulates new growth and replenishes the soil with nutrients. soil with nutrients.

acacia tree, baobab tree,acacia tree, baobab tree,

Page 12: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)
Page 13: Grasslands Savanna (Tropical Grassland) and Prairie (Temperate Grassland)