Grassland Biome: Steppe to Prairie Transition
The transition of a grassland biome from steppe to another type is primarily influenced by changes in precipitation levels.
Rainfall's Role in Biome Grading
The steppe biome is characterized by semi-arid conditions, receiving relatively low rainfall, which supports shorter grasses and fewer shrubs.
As rainfall increases beyond the level typical of a steppe, the grassland biome evolves. This increased moisture allows for denser, taller grass growth and supports a richer diversity of plant and animal life characteristic of more mesic (moderately moist) conditions.
Comparing Biome Characteristics
- Steppe: Found in regions with low to moderate rainfall (approx. 250-500 mm per year). Often drier than prairies.
- Prairie: A type of temperate grassland receiving moderate rainfall (approx. 500-900 mm per year), supporting taller grasses and a more diverse ecosystem than steppes.
- Savanna: A tropical or subtropical grassland with scattered trees, characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons and higher overall rainfall than steppes or prairies.
- Tundra: A cold, treeless biome with very low precipitation (often comparable to deserts) and permafrost. Not a direct transition from steppe based on rainfall alone.
- Alpine Tundra: Occurs at high altitudes; its characteristics are defined by cold temperatures and altitude rather than a direct rainfall gradient from steppe.
Therefore, where rainfall is higher, the steppe grassland biome grades into a prairie.
Important Questions from Bio-Geography
- Ecological succession in the upwelling region of the Southwest coast of India can be best exemplified by
- Match the forests with their characters
Forests Characters A. Subtropical evergreen forest P. The trees are spaced widely apart B. Savanna woodland Q. Trees with small hard leathery leave C. Sclerophyll forest R. Straight trunked cone-shaped trees with relatively short branched and small, narrow needle like leaves D. Boreal forest S. Broad leaf T. Needle leaf Indentify the biomes
Match the ecological adaptive strategies with the plant types
Plant Type Adaptive strategies A. Hydrophytes E. germination of seeds before they shed; adventitious roots that develop from the base of the stem; negatively geotropic roots for supply of oxygen B. Mesophytes F. root systems are very deep; stems are dwarf and branched; stomata are less in number and generally confined to the lower surface of leaves C. Xerophytes G. leaves are thin, narrow, and linear; extensive aerenchyma in all organs; stomata are generally absent D. Halophytes H. leaves are large; stem is rigid and stout; normal physiological processes
Choose the correct option- Which one of the following terrestrial biomes is found in regions dominantly characterized by oxisols?
