Grassland Biome Yasmin Shashova and Stephanie Frost

Map of grasslands

DescriptionMost grasslands are located between forests and

deserts. Grasslands contain grass rather than large shrubs or trees. Drought and fire prevent large forests from growing. There are two different types of grasslands: Temperate Grasslands and Tropical Grasslands.

Rainfall

Rain in the grasslands usually occurs in the late spring and early summer. The yearly average is about 20 – 35 inches (55 - 95 cm). Grasslands in the southern hemisphere tend to get more precipitation than those in the northern hemisphere. Precipitation is so erotic that drought and fire prevent large forests from growing.

Latitudes and AltitudesThe latitudes are 31°19'00"S and 26°18'00"EMid-altitude grasslands: Includes the Prairie

of North America and the Pampa of ArgentinaHigh-altitude grasslands: On high mountain

ranges like the Páramo

Prairie of North America

Pampa of Argentina

Páramo

PlantsBig Bluestem: Grows 3 to 10 feet and blooms from June through September

White Prairie Clover: Fine textured leaves and it grows 2 to 3 feet tall. Flowering accurse from mid-June to July.

Milkweed Flower: A beautiful flower that attracts insects. It dies back each winter to underground buds and rhizomes and emerges late in the spring.

Plants Cont.Sweet coneflower: Grows 4 to 6 feet tall and flowers in late summer. It grows well in dry soil.

Buffalo grass: Grows 8 to 10 inches high (low growing) and it resists turf insects.

HerbivoresGiraffes: Have a camouflaged coat and use their long neck to reach leaves in tall trees.

Grasshoppers: Use their antennae to detect moisture in the environment. They have long lets that can jump great distances.

Buffalo: Have thick coat of fur that keep them worm and a sharp sense of hearing and smell. They also use their high speed to run away from predators.

Herbivores Cont.Antelope: Have an acute sense of smell and hearing and slender yet powerful legs that allows them to take long strides when running.

Monarch butterfly: In the winter the butterflies migrate to the south to avoid cold temperatures.

CarnivoresLions: Lions stalk their their pray and then attack using their sharp teeth. Their fur color allows them to blend into their environment.

Cheetah: Cheetahs are very fast and can run up to 75 miles per hour. When they hunt prey, they stalk them and then choke them.

Rattlesnakes: Rattlesnakes use their rattle to warn off other predators. They have deadly venom.

Carnivores Cont.African hunting dog: African hunting dogs have a lot of endurance and can run long distances. They have great eyesight and strong teeth.

Burrowing owls: Burrowing Owls live underground burrows that have been dug out by small animals. When Burrowing owls hunt they use their night vision and good hearing.

Grassland Food Web

Ecolo

gical

Pyram

id

Star grass, Red oat grass, Acacia

Grasshopper, Harvester ant, Topi, Termite Warthog, Dung

beetle, Hare, Wildebeest, gazelle, Impala, Mouse

Pangolin, Aardvark, Mongoose

Wild dog, Hyena, Lion, Cheetah, Caracal, Serval, Vulture, Tawny eagle

Examples

Predator and Prey:

Parasitism:Competition:

Mutualism:

Benefits to Biome

Due to the immense amount of vegetation and wildlife there is an increased amount of oxygen. It provides a suitable environment for farming. It increases the economy by $78 billion annually to the U.S. A reason why we should preserve the biome because some of the plants provide use with medicine, tools, shelter, and food. Another reason is that grasslands are a great place for horses and cattle to graze on that our existence is depended on.

Threat to Biome

Humans dramatically effect grassland biomes as the plants are converted to crops. Grassland biomes are also used as a development area for urban areas. If only one crop was grown, insects and diseases can spread easily. It would increase the need for pesticides which are dangerous to some animals. You can get involved in a organization that supports and promotes grassland conservation.