Grassland Desert and Tundra Biomes 1 What is
Grassland, Desert, and Tundra Biomes
1. What is another word for grassland? • Savanna
Savanna
2. Are savannas temperate or tropical biomes? Savanna Biomes are. Tropical.
3. Grasslands, deserts, and tundra receive (high/low) amounts of precipitation. • Grasslands, deserts, and tundra receive low amounts of precipitation.
4. Name three animals that live on a savanna. • • Elephants Gazelles Giraffes Black Rhinos
5. Look at the graph on page 165. What months would be part of the “wet season” on the savanna? • November, December, March, April, and May
6. What is important about the wet season? • This is the only time that plants can grow.
7. What happens to the plants on the savanna during the dry season • Plants lose their leaves, and die down to the ground. Many plants have large horizontal root systems so that they can pull water from many directions when it does return.
8. Why do some plants on the savanna have thorns? • To keep hungry herbivores away.
9. What season would most animals give birth on the savanna? • Only during the rainy season, when food is easy to find. Their young are more likely to survive.
10. Name three animals you would find on a savanna? • This is a repeat.
Temperate Grasslands
11. Name four areas on the globe that support temperate grasslands? • The prairies of North Amierica • The steppe of Asia • The veldt in South Africa • The pampas in South America
12. Where in the United States could you find temperate grasslands? • The prairies of North America. This would be east of the Rocky Mountains.
13. Temperate grassland vegetation consists mainly of what two types of plants? • Grasses • Wildflowers
14. Grasslands are highly productive because of their_____ soil. • Grasslands are highly productive because of their FERTILE soil. Organic matter accumulates in the soil which makes the most fertile soils in the world.
15. What two types of crops are commonly grown on a grassland biome? • Wheat • Corn
16. What three types of animals that live in a temperate grassland? • Grazing Animals such as Antelope and Bison. • Also badgers, prairie dogs and owls that live in protective underground burrows.
17. Why do some animals on grassland live in burrows? • The burrows shield the animals from fire and weather. Also protect them from predators.
18. What are the two biggest threats to grasslands? • Farming • Overgrazing
Chaparral
19. What kind of climate would you find in a chaparral? • Fairly dry • Moderately hot
20. What famous location in the U. S. is an example of a chaparral? • Hollywood Hills white “HOLLYWOOD”
21. What types of plants would you expect to find in a chaparral? • Low Lying, evergreen shrubs and small trees
22. What types of leaves do these plants have? • Small, leathery leaves
23. Why is a fire an advantage for plants of the chaparral? • Natural fires destroy trees that compete with chaparral plants for light and space
24. What is an adaptation for animals living in the chaparral? • Camouflage
25. What types of animals live in the chaparral? • Quail, lizards, chipmunks and mule deer. • All have brownish-gray coloring that lets them move without being noticed.
26. What is the main threat to the chaparral biomes? • Human Development
27. How does camouflage help chaparral animals? • Lets them blend into their environment.
Desert
28. The driest places on earth belong to what type of biome? • THE DESERT
29. Why does the temperature in a desert vary so much in a 24 hour period? • There is very little insulating moisture in the air.
30. Deserts are located near _____ that block rain clouds? • Mountain Ranges
31. What is a succulent? • Plants with thick, fleshy stems and leaves that store water
32. Describe a leaf on a cactus. • They have a waxy coating that prevents water loss. Cacti have sharp spines that keep thirsty animals from eating the plants juicy flesh.
33. Why do animals in the desert have scaly skin? • Prevents water loss
34. What is estivating? • Animals bury themselves into the ground and sleep through the dry season.
35. What does it mean to be nocturnal? • Active mainly at night or at dusk
36. Why are desert animals nocturnal? • The air is cooler.
Tundra
37. What region would you need to visit to see a tundra? • Very Far North, The Artic
38. What is the frozen layer of soil in a tundra known as? • Permafrost
39. The topsoil in tundra is very ____. • Very Thin
40. What are two types of plants that can grow in a tundra without soil? • Mosses • Lichens
41. Why do plants on the tundra grow close to the ground? • Keeps the plants out of the wind and helps them absorb sunlit soil during the brief summer
42. Why do many migratory birds fly to the tundra? • Breed during the summer
43. Why do animals lose their brown hair on the tundra? • They have white fur that will camouflage them in the winter snow.
44. The tundra is one of the most _______ biomes on earth. • The tundra is one of the most FRAGILE biomes on the earth. The food chains are very simple, so they are easy to disrupt.
45. What important resource can be found on the tundra? • OIL
46. What is the main threat to the tundra? • Oil exploration, extraction, and transport has disrupted the tundra • Pollution caused by spills or leaks has also poisoned water sources.
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