AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Much of South Dakota, with the notable exception of the Black Hills, is dominated by a temperate grasslands biome. Although grasses and crops cover most of this region, deciduous trees such as cottonwoods, elms, and willows are common near rivers and in shelter belts.

Detailed explanation-2: -South Dakota has a temperate continental climate, with four distinct seasons and precipitation ranging from moderate in the east to semi-arid in the west. The state’s ecology features species typical of a North American grassland biome.

Detailed explanation-3: -Grasslands are generally located between deserts and forests. The major temperate grasslands are located in central North America in the United States, in Southeast South America in Uruguay and Argentina, and in Asia along the southern portion of Russia and Mongolia.

Detailed explanation-4: -The main temperate grasslands are the steppe in Eurasia, the prairies of North America, the downs of Australia and New Zealand and the pampa of Argentina. Temperate grasslands produce plants with long, extensive roots that dig deep into the mollisol (soft, nutrient-rich) soil.

Detailed explanation-5: -Grassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of grasses, flowers and herbs. Latitude, soil and local climates for the most part determine what kinds of plants grow in a particular grassland. A grassland is a region where the average annual precipitation is great enough to support grasses, and in some areas a few trees.