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Steppes and Prairies. Steppes. · Grasslands of short bunchgrasses that get less than 50 cm of rain a year. · Low rainfall but more than a desert. · Sparse plant life.
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Steppes · Grasslands of short bunchgrasses that get less than 50 cm of rain a year. · Low rainfall but more than a desert. · Sparse plant life. • High winds and high temperatures cause water to evaporate from the soil. Yearly temperatures range from -50C (200F) to 300C (850F).
Prairies · Make up most of grasslands in U.S. · Characterized by rolling hills, plains, and sod-forming grasses. • 50 to 75 cm of rain a year.
Prairie Organisms • Prairies *Prairie soil can hold water well. *Most grasses of prairies have roots that form a mat in the soil. *This mat of soil and roots is called sod.
Prairie Organisms · The grasses that form these are called sod-forming grasses, lawns are examples • As the roots die, they form a layer of organic matter called humus which helps hold moisture and provides additional nutrients and food for grasses and other organisms to grow.
Steppe Organisms • Steppe · Referred to as short-grass prairies. · Grasses are known as bunchgrasses which are short, fine-bladed grasses that grow in a clump. · These hold water in a small shoot area. • The fine blades help to prevent water from evaporating.
Animals · They adapt to these areas by hibernating, migrating, or burrowing underground. • Prairie dogs are an example.