Project Work by: José Alves Ministério da Educação Direcção Regional de Educação do Algarve Agrupamento de Escolas Dr.ª Laura Ayres ESLA ESLA

Grassland ESLA ESLA Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other plants. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica.

Vegetation ESLA ESLA Grassland vegetation can vary in height from very short, as in chalk where the vegetation may be less than 30 cm high, to quite tall, as in the case of North American tall grass prairie, South American grasslands and African savanna.

Climate ESLA ESLA Natural grasslands primarily occur in regions that receive between 250 and 900 mm of rain per year, as compared with deserts, which receive less than 250 mm. Grassland can exist naturally in areas with higher rainfall when other factors prevent the growth of forests.

Grasslands are of vital importance for raising livestock for human consumption and for milk and other dairy products. Grassland vegetation remains dominant in a particular area usually due to grazing, cutting, or natural or manmade fires, all discouraging colonization by and survival of tree and shrub seedlings. Human impact and economic importance ESLA ESLA

Grassland types Tropical and subtropical grasslands: These grasslands are classified with tropical and subtropical savannas and scrublands. Temperate grasslands: Mid-latitude grasslands, including the Prairie and Pacific Grasslands of North America, the Pampas of Argentina, and the steppes of Europe. Flooded grasslands: Grasslands that are flooded seasonally or year-round, like the Everglades of Florida, the Pantanal of Brazil Montane grasslands: High-altitude grasslands located on high mountain ranges around the world Tundra grasslands: Similar to montane grasslands, polar arctic tundra can have grasses. ESLA ESLA

Fauna ESLA ESLA Grassland in all its form supports a vast variety of mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. Typical large mammals include the Blue Wildebeest, American Bison, Giant Anteater and Przewalski's Horse. There is evidence for grassland being much the product of animal behavior; some examples include migratory herds of antelope trampling vegetation and African Bush Elephants eating Acacia saplings.

BBC Documentary