Lesson 4.3 - The Grassland Biome

Lesson 4.3 - The Grassland Biome

The grassland biome is in the southeastern corner of Alberta.  However, it extends deep into the United States, too.  Climate conditions do not change abruptly when we cross a border!  Some characteristics of the grassland biome are that there is little precipitation, drying winds, and extremely cold winters.  As a result, there are more grasses and fewer tress. As well, the animals in this region are also different from those in other areas.  In the pages you will be asked to read, you will see how many different plants and animals are suited uniquely for this environment. 

Read The Grassland Biome on pages 284 and 285 of your textbook. Then, answer the following question.

 

Question 1. Answer Check Your Understanding questions 3a and b and 4 from page 285 of your textbook.

 

Check your answers with those that follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers to Questions:

Question 1. Answer Check Your Understanding questions 3a and b and 4 from page 285 of your textbook.

3a.    Prairie grasses have long roots to absorb easily moisture and nutrients.  The leaves grow from the base of the plant so the plant grows even when it is chewed down by animals.

3b.    Other producers are short plants that are covered with small hairs to reduce evaporation and to protect plants from the cold.

4.    The table below list some highlights, but it is by no means complete.

	Northern Boreal Forest	Grassland
climate	colder than grassland wet enough to support trees	low precipitation extremely cold winters
plant life	coniferous and deciduous trees moss and lichens	few trees but many grasses
plant adaptations	moss and lichens need little light white spruce can grow in poor soil and cold	grasses have long roots to absorb moisture they grow from the base so they grow after being chewed down
animal life	rodents, pelican, fish, insects, moose, birds, wolves, lynx	birds, rattlesnakes, frogs, insects, small mammals
animal adaptations	thick fur of changing colour hibernation migration keen eyesight	camouflage fast ability to burrow long-distance vision

Now, do Assignment 14D.  Page forward to access it.

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