Temperate Grasslands Chris Zajac

Locations North America- prairies of the Great Plains Eurasia Extend from southern Canada to Gulf of Mexico Eurasia South America Africa

Climate Moderate rainfall Receives between 300 and 1,000 mm of precipitation each year Amount of annual rainfall influences the height of grassland vegetation Can experience droughts that last multiple years Hot summers Cold winters

Features Very rich soil Deep and dark Fertile upper layers Growth and decay of many-branched grass roots Rotted roots hold soil together Help to provide a source of food for living plants Flat, treeless, covered with various types of flowers and grasses.

Biology Vegetation Many species of grasses Flowers Purple needlegrass, blue grama, buffalo grass, and galleta Flowers Asters, blazing stars, coneflowers, goldenrods, sunflowers, clovers, and wild indigos Many other herbaceous plants (non-woody)

Biology Fauna (do not all occur in same temperate grassland) Gazelles, zebras, rhinoceroses, wild horses, lions, wolves, prairie dogs, jack rabbits, deer, mice, coyotes, foxes, skunks, badgers, blackbirds, grouses, meadowlarks, quails, sparrows, hawks, owls, snakes, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, and spiders

Human Influences Cultivate grasslands Plowed land Some of the most fertile farm lands on earth Used to farm and feed the world Used to raise livestock For human consumption Milk production/ dairy products Soils have lost as much as 35% to 40% of organic matter in last 40 years

References Google. (2009). Google. Retrieved Sep. 06, 2009, from Google. Web site: http://www.google.com. Grassland. (2009, August 31). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:30, August 31, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grassland &oldid=311113528 Molles, M C. (2008). Ecology Concepts and Applications Fourth Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. SLW, . Retrieved Sep. 06, 2009. Web site: http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235 /biomes/tempgrass/tempgras.html. Webber, C. (2002). The Grassland Biome. Retrieved Sep. 06, 2009, from California Academy of Science, California. Web site: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/gras slands.php.