Organisms and the Environment

2. Organisms and the Environment

3. Chapter Six: Biomes • 6.1 Climates and Biomes • 6.2 Deserts and Grasslands • 6.3 Temperate Forests and Rainforests • 6.4 Taigas and Tundras

4. Investigation 6A Environments Around School • What causes different microclimates within an ecosystem?

5. 6.2 Deserts • A desertis a climate region that averages less than 35 cm. of rainfall per year. • Due to a lack of clouds, deserts get more than twice as much incoming sunlight as other regions. Why don’t deserts have cloud cover?

7. 6.2 Rainshadow deserts • One desert found in eastern Washington state, is the result of the “rainshadow effect.” • Moist air rises as it travels up the western slope of the Cascade mountains range and cools, causing lots of rain. • By the time the air reaches the eastern side, there is very little moisture left.

9. 6.2 Desert life • Many different kinds of organisms have adapted to desert life. • In fact, only the tropical rainforest biome contains a greater number of plant and animal species.

10. 6.2 Grasslands • Grasslandsare found on every continent except Antarctica. • There are two types of grasslands: • savannas (tropical grasslands), and • temperate grasslands. Which type of grassland is found in South America?

12. 6.2 Grasslands • Savannas are characterized by two seasons: rainy and dry. • During the rainy season, from 50 to 127 cm. of rain can fall. • This season is followed by a drought, in which wildfires can occur. • Fires and poor soil conditions prevent the growth of most trees.

13. 6.2 Grasslands • In some areas, trees grow only on termite mounds. • The isolated trees found in savannas have cork-like bark that protect against fire damage.

14. 6.2 Grasslands • Many large mammals of the savanna, including wildebeest have long legs that enable them to outrun fires.

15. 6.2 Grasslands • Around the world, grasslands go by different names.

16. Which type of grassland is closest to where you live?