Steppe and Prairie

Describe the steppe biomeSteppe = grasslands of short bunchgrasses that get less than 50cm of rain per year

Similar to deserts – aka semi-arid desert

Located at the western and southwestern edges of grasslands

Describe the prairie biomeGrasslands characterized by rolling hills, plains, and sodforming grasses

Make up most of the grasslands in the US– Called The Great Plains

Large fertile areas where humans get most of their food = “breadbaskets”

What kind of climate do steppes and prairies have?

More than 25 cm of rain per year (25-50 cm = steppe; 50-75 cm = prairie)– Evaporates very quickly– Reaches only the top 25cm of soil

High winds and high temperatures

Temp range; -5 to 30 degrees C

Steppe and prairie vegetationPrairie soil holds water very well so grasses can form mats of roots in soilSod-forming grasses – form mats of soil and rootsSoil is fertile, moist and contains humus (dead organic matter)Bunchgrasses in the steppe – short fine bladed grasses that grow in clumps (helps to conserve water, keeps it around 1 clump of roots)Wind spreads seeds of grasses – adaptation allowing for quick spreading of grasses over large areas of land

Steppe and prairie animalsAdaptations for survival – migrating, burrowing underground, hibernatingMigrations and hibernations spawned by the change of seasons – allows avoidance of harsh tempsPrairie dogs burrow to avoid heat of day and hunt for food during cooler parts of day

Dangers to the steppes and prairies

Poor farming and ranching techniques– Overgrazing cattle and sheep in small areas– Grasses replaced by men with grasses not equipped to survive

the biome – causing less survival of native animals– “Dust bowl” – overgrazing killed grasses, when the roots

were gone the wind blew the fertile topsoil away– Bison, deer, wolves, and grizzlies are being “run off” by the

demands of man for space and food– Could turn grasslands into deserts