GrasslandsGrasslandsEcology 2Ecology 2ndnd Period PeriodMrs. DunnavantMrs. Dunnavant

Brian Childers & AndBrian Childers & Andŕea ŕea GreeneGreene

LocationLocation Grassland are located in every continent except Grassland are located in every continent except

Antarctica.Antarctica. Grassland are found around the globe and have Grassland are found around the globe and have

served as grazing areas for a big number of served as grazing areas for a big number of animals, and have been oppressed as farming animals, and have been oppressed as farming grounds or plantations by humans.grounds or plantations by humans.

About one quarter of the earth is grasslands.About one quarter of the earth is grasslands. The grassland consist of grasses, flowers, and The grassland consist of grasses, flowers, and

herbs.herbs.

Grasslands AnimalsGrasslands Animals The grasslands are home to many creatures The grasslands are home to many creatures

because of the open landscape and wide because of the open landscape and wide spaced trees.spaced trees.

But most animals are active during the rainy But most animals are active during the rainy seasonseason

Some animal that live in the grasslands are.Some animal that live in the grasslands are. African elephants, black footed ferret, African elephants, black footed ferret,

brown hyena, prairie dog, and ostrich.brown hyena, prairie dog, and ostrich. The insect prairie mole cricketThe insect prairie mole cricket The Blanding's turtleThe Blanding's turtle

Characteristics & Characteristics & PopulationPopulation

The grasslands are composed of The grasslands are composed of Prairies, Steppe, and Savannas.Prairies, Steppe, and Savannas.

Grasslands are extremely hot in Grasslands are extremely hot in summer time and are very cold during summer time and are very cold during the winter.the winter.

Grasslands receive between 10 and 30 Grasslands receive between 10 and 30 inches of rainfall a yearinches of rainfall a year

Because the grassland soil is so Because the grassland soil is so nutrient most grasslands have been nutrient most grasslands have been turned into commercial farmsturned into commercial farms

Grassland Plants and Grassland Plants and TreesTrees

Although trees can Although trees can not grow well in not grow well in temperate grasslands temperate grasslands due to the lack of due to the lack of moisture, crops and moisture, crops and flowers can grow flowers can grow because of the because of the relatively rapid relatively rapid decomposition of decomposition of humus, which humus, which releases nutrients for releases nutrients for them to grow. them to grow.

PLANTS :PLANTS :African DaisyAfrican DaisyAloeAloeBermuda grassBermuda grassCanary GrassCanary GrassGlory LilyGlory LilySwitch GrassSwitch GrassMilk WeedMilk WeedSweet Cone FlowerSweet Cone FlowerStinging NettleStinging NettleBalsam RootBalsam Root

TREES:TREES:AcaciaAcaciaBoababsBoababsSnappy GumsSnappy GumsPonderosa PinesPonderosa PinesBox ElderBox ElderSilver MapleSilver MapleRed BudRed BudGlossy PrivetGlossy PrivetSiberian ElmSiberian ElmRussian oliveRussian olive

Interesting Facts

• In Asia and Europe grasslands are known as Steppes.

• Pampas are what grasslands are called in South America.

• Grasslands are called Savannas in Africa. • In North America, we call grasslands Prairies.

• Many grassland animals are becoming extinct.

• Savannah's have two seasons, a dry season and a wet season.

The Human InfluenceThe Human Influence

Humans have made more croplands Humans have made more croplands and fewer grasslands.and fewer grasslands.

Positive Human Positive Human InfluenceInfluence

In some places, national parks are set up In some places, national parks are set up to preserve the grasslands and grasses to preserve the grasslands and grasses are replanted in some other places are replanted in some other places where grasses have been cleared for where grasses have been cleared for farming. farming.

This increasing awareness is certainly This increasing awareness is certainly necessary in protecting the grassland necessary in protecting the grassland biomes.biomes.

Today, only about 1% of grasslands is Today, only about 1% of grasslands is officially protected but governments are officially protected but governments are now more aware of this issue. now more aware of this issue.

Animal Adaptations in the Animal Adaptations in the

Grasslands:Grasslands: The animals that live in grasslands The animals that live in grasslands

have adapted to:have adapted to: Dry, windy conditions.Dry, windy conditions. There are grazing animals (that eat There are grazing animals (that eat

the grass), burrowing animals, and the grass), burrowing animals, and their predators; insects are abundant. their predators; insects are abundant.

A moderate of level species diversity A moderate of level species diversity exists on a grassland.exists on a grassland.

Examples Of AdaptationsExamples Of Adaptations

The Grassland’s Food The Grassland’s Food WebWeb

LinksLinks Links -Links - Biomes of the World - Tropical SavannaBiomes of the World - Tropical Savanna

http://http://www.snowcrest.net/geography/slides/biomes/sawww.snowcrest.net/geography/slides/biomes/savannah.htmvannah.htm Tropical SavannahTropical Savannahhttp://http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/savwww.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/savannah.htmlannah.html GrasslandsGrasslandshttp://http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/grasslnd/index.htmmbgnet.mobot.org/sets/grasslnd/index.htm GrasslandsGrasslandshttp://http://www.panda.org/kids/wildlife/idxgrsmn.htmwww.panda.org/kids/wildlife/idxgrsmn.htm