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Grassland“The Bread Basket of the World”
Found on every continent.
GrasslandGrasslands are known by many names.
U.S.A. – Prairie or Plains
•Asia – Steppe
•South America – Pampas
•Africa –Veldt or Savanna
•Australia - Savanna
Grassland
• Wet seasons followed by a season of drought
• 25 to 75 cm precipitation yearly
Grassland• In winter,
temperatures can plummet to well below 0ºF(-17ºC)in some areas.
• In summer, temperatures can reach above 90ºF (32ºC).
Grassland
• The soil is rich and fertile.
• The grass has extensive root systems, called sod.
Plants of the Grassland
Grassland regions of the world are important farming areas. Cereal and grains grow here.
Examples:
•Wheat
•Rye
•Barley
•Corn
Plants of the Grassland
•Wheat
Plants of the Grassland
•Rye
Plants of the Grassland
•Barley
Plants of the Grassland
•Corn
Plants of the GrasslandADAPTATIONS
During a fire, while above-ground portions of grasses may perish, the root
portions survive to sprout again
Some prairie trees have thick bark to resist fire
Prairie shrubs readily resprout after fire
Roots of prairie grasses extend deep into the ground to absorb as much moisture
as they can
Extensive root systems prevent grazing animals from pulling roots out of the
ground
Prairie grasses have narrow leaves which lose less water than broad leaves
Grasses grow from near their base, not from tip, thus are not permanently
damaged from grazing animals or fire
Many grasses take advantage of exposed, windy conditions and are wind
pollinated
Soft stems enable prairie grasses to bend in the wind
http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/
Animals of the Grassland
The most noticeable animals in grassland ecosystems are usually grazing mammals.
Animals of the American Grassland
•Bison
Animals of the American Grassland
•Prairie Dog
Animals of the American Grassland
•Pronghorn
Animals of the American Grassland
•Coyote
Tropical Grassland - Savanna
Tropical Grassland -Savanna
• Wet (summer) seasons followed by a (winter) season of drought
• Usually slightly cooler in the dry season
• 100 to 150 cm precipitation yearly
Tropical Grassland -Savanna
• The winter temperature is about 20-25 degrees Celsius
• and the summer is 25-30 degrees Celsius.
Plants of the SavannaPlants
Acacia Senegal
Baobab
Bermuda Grass
Candelabra Tree
Elephant Grass
Gum Tree Eucalyptus
Jackalberry Tree
Jarrah tree
Kangaroo Paw
Manketti Tree
River Bushwillow
Umbrella Thorn Acacia
Whistling Thorn
Animals of the African Grassland
•Gazelle
Animals of the African Grassland
•Wildebeest
Animals of the African Grassland
•Lion
Animals of the African Grassland
•Elephant
Animals of the African Grassland
•Giraffe
Animals of the Australian GrasslandAustralian grassland animals are
marsupials
•Kangaroo
Animals of the Australian Grassland
•Long Nosed Bandicoot
Animals of the Australian Grassland
•Wallaby
Animals of the Australian Grassland
•Wombat
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