Investigating Earth's Desert, Grassland, and Rainforest Biomes

Investigating Earth's Desert, Grassland, and Rainforest Biomes — page 3
INVESTIGATING EARTH's DESERT GRASSLAND AND RAINFOREST BIOMES gigantea while the cooler Mojave Desert is home to the Joshua tree Yucca brevifolia Deserts are home to reptiles marsupials and mammals Perhaps the camel is the iconic desert animal well suited to the climate with its ability to travel many miles without water People also inhabit deserts and even grow crops there though only in areas known as oases where water is available Grasslands occupy another 20 percent of Earth's land These grass dominated areas extend between forests and deserts The grasses vary as soil and climate conditions change For example more arid areas closer to deserts grow short or bunch grasses Tropical grasslands called savannas have a marked dry season and yield coarse stiff grasses In the middle latitudes or prairies temperatures are less extreme and taller grasses grow alongside flowering plants in the fertile soil Steppe grasses tend to be rather short with shallow root systems making for a less varied landscape Many animals inhabit savannas such as herbivorous plant eating animals which in turn attract carnivores or meat eaters Tropical grasslands teem with zebras lions and kangaroos More temperate grasslands are home to hawks horses and prairie dogs