Biomes are global patterns of plants and animals and the communities they live in. Biomes are strongly related to particular climates, but a study of biomes also reveals the ways in which animals and plants adapt to soils, temperature and altitude, and the physical environment of their area. Biomes, or biotic regions, are areas in which plant and animal populations are well-adapted to the soil and climate. The defining characteristics of the grassland biome in the Midwest include the climate, with its long, hot summers and dry, cold winters.
Plants are well adapted to conserving water resources and finding new ones.
Plant roots in the temperate grasslands grow deep into the soil to search out water. These deep roots also help store water for times of drought. They also allow the plant to reassert itself after destruction by fire or buffalo. The animals of the grassland have evolved to take advantage of these plant adaptations. The interrelation of plant and animal communities makes the study of biomes so important for understanding the ecology of your local area and the world.