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• 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>.
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