Temperate Grassland

Kendall EHayley S

Temperate Grassland • Temperate grasslands are

characterized by rolling hills and vast plains. (Miller, 137)

• They are located on the interior of continents (in the center).

• Types– Steppes: short grasses– Prairies: tall grasses

• Regional Names:– North America:

Prairies/Plains – Europe/Asia: Steppes– South Africa: Veldts – South America: Pampas– Hungary: Puszta– (“The Wild Classroom”)

Climate Characteristics• Climate Extremes

– Hot/dry summers– Extremely cold winters– (Miller, 137)

• Precipitation– Moderate Rainfall – Occurs mostly in

spring/summer– 25-100 cm/year– Affects grass height

• Drier=Shorter• (“ThinkQuest”)

• Temperature– Wide temperature range:

• Hot summers: 38°C• Cold winters: -40°C• (“University of California Museum of

Paleontology”)

Climate Characteristics

How do temperature and precipitation relate?

Climate Characteristics• Other Abiotic Factors

– Rich/Fertile Soil • Decomposed roots hold

soil together are provide food to plants.

• Good for farming• (“University of California Museum of

Paleontology”)

– Fires• Caused by lightening

from common storms• Spread quickly across

grass• Prevent trees from

growing• Clear land and nourish

soil• Germinate some seeds• (“The Wild Classroom”)

Geographic Location

• All over the world• In the inside areas

of continents• Typically in North

and South America, Asia, and Europe

• Largest grasslands are in Asia and N. America

• (“University of California Museum of Paleontology”)

Flora • Many plants are drought

tolerant (unlike trees). • Drought, fire, animal

grazing prevent trees and wood plants from growing here-grassland flora can handle these factors

• (Miller, 137)

• May find some trees (cottonwoods, willows) in river valleys where there is more moisture.

• (“University of California Museum of Paleontology”)

Flora• Dominated by grasses (WWF)

– 90% of Biomass – Grow best with varying

temperature, rainfall, and rich soil of the different grassland areas.

– Endure drought – Grass height depends on

precipitation• Wetter regions=taller

grass– Main types:

(“The Wild Classroom”)

• Blue grama • Buffalo grass• Purple needlegrass • Galleta

Flora

• Along with grasses many types of flowers thrive in grasslands (“University of California Museum of Paleontology”)

– Asters– Blazing Stars– Goldenrods– Sunflowers– Clovers– Wild Indigos– And others

Fauna • Many insects

– Live off the plants– Beetles, Spiders,

Grasshoppers (Miller, 137)

– Ants/Earthworms in soil – Withstand desiccation

• Primary Consumers– Smaller animals– Prairie dogs, deer mice,

jackrabbits, meadowlarks, bison, and many others.

– Survive because of burrow living and also speed.

– (Miller, 137)

Fauna• Adapted to windy/dry

conditions. (“University of

California Museum of Paleontology”) • Higher level

consumers – Coyotes, deer, bobcats,

foxes, hawks, snakes, and many others.

• Many larger species such as wolves and pumas have been hunted, severely decreasing their population.

• (Miller, 137)

Biodiversity • Affected by drought, fires, and

grazing animals. • Largely dominated by

vegetation (“The Wild Classroom”)

– A few major types of grasses- but there are hundreds of others.

– Flowers and shrubs• There are many small animals

and primary consumers along with a large amount of insects.

• There are fewer high level consumers due to hunting.

• (Miller, 137)

• Shannon Diversity Index would be middle to high ranges because although there are many organisms, vegetation is dominated by a few types of grasses and there are not many large predators.

Pyramid of Biomass

Environmental Concerns• Farming

– Flat ground with few trees

– Good soil– (Miller, 137)

• Fires– Caused by humans:

spread very quickly– (“The Wild Classroom”)

• Dust Storms – Caused by plowing and

wind. Ex: Dust Bowl– (“ThinkQuest”)

• Hunting of Animals– Buffalo

References Audel, Hazen. "Temperate Grassland." Biomes of the World. 2003. The Wild Classroom. 20 Oct. 2008

<http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/grasslands.html>.

"Ecosystems: Biomes and Trophic Structure." ISB 202 Global Change. 23 Jan. 2007. Michigan State University. 20 Oct. 2008 <https://www.msu.edu/course/isb/202/ebertmay/notes/snotes/01_23_07_biomes.html>.

"Grasslands." Think Quest. Oracle. 20 Oct. 2008 <http://library.thinkquest.org/28082/grasslands.html>.

"Grasslands." What's It Like Where You Live. 2002. Missouri Botannical Garden. 20 Oct. 2008 <http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/grasslnd/index.htm>.

Miller, G. Tyler. "Grassland, Tundra, and Chaparral Biomes." Living in the Environment. 12th ed. 136-37.

"Temperate Grasslands, Savannas and Shrubland Ecoregions." WWF. 11 July 2006. World Wildlife Fund. 20 Oct. 2008 <http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/ecoregions/about/habitat_types/selecting_terrestrial_ecoregions/habitat08.cfm>.

Thomas, Robert, and Margaret Orr. "The Grassland Biome." University of California Museum of Paleontology. 2001. California Academy of Sciences. 20 Oct. 2008 <http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/grasslands.php>.

"Wild Flowers." Nps.gov. 6 July 2007. National Parks Service. 20 Oct. 2008 <http://www.nps.gov/wica/naturescience/wildflowers-missouri-goldenrod.htm>.