Where the “Temp” is low, the “Rate” is also low, and the grass is plentiful Temperate Grasslands

Travel Information brought to you by Extreme Weather Travel Pros Dylan Lesko Alicia Nordal Lexi Karrer

Where are the Temperate Grasslands? Seen in diverse cultures around the world!

Description of the Landscape ●Soil is fertile and rich with nutrients ●Open and flat plains, plenty of room for activities! ●Trees, shrubs, grasses, beautiful idyllic flora

Climate ●Hot summers (up to 100°F, swimming conditions!) ●Disclaimer:Cold winters (as low as -40°F,winter wonderland!) ●10-35” of precipitation per year o late spring-early summer o falls as snow during winter months

Seasonal Information Drastically different weather patterns during different parts of the year. Make sure to plan your trip carefully for what weather suits you the best!

Unique features ●25% of the earth’s land is grassland ●Main source of agricultural productivity in the United States. Site see in the idyllic farmlands! ●Views as far as the eye can see due to flat land

Plant and Animal Species ●Grasses o Beautiful purple needlegrass, blue grama, buffalo grass, and galleta ●Flowers o asters, blazing stars, coneflowers, goldenrods, sunflowers, clovers, psoraleas, and wild indigos ●Low diversity-high abundance of animals o bison, pronghorn, pocket gophers, prairie dogs, wolves, coyotes, swift foxes, badgers,meadowlarks, quails, sparrows, hawks and owls

Plant and Animal Adaptations ●Jack Rabbits adapt to the dry, windy conditions by burrowing underground, good thing we have hotels! ●Many flowers can survive into the winter by developing underground storage organs and thick stem bases, leaving beautiful frozen flower fields ●Lack of shelter: long leg herbivores so they can outrun predators, see the beautiful fauna prance out on the prairy ●Grass adapted to fire, drought, and cold o intricate root systems store nutrients; narrow stem reduces heat in summer. plant your own flowers and watch them grow!

Tourist Activities ●EcoTourism o National Parks o Scenery o Animals living in their natural habitat  Deer and foxes o Abundance of wild flowers o Horseback riding o Bird watching o Photography o Backpacking

Environmental Issues Drought and fires: high temperatures in the summers combined with low precipitation create droughts than can lead to fires, making it even more important to visit them now before they all burn to the ground!

Environmental issues cont’d Conversion to farming: because of the deep and fertile soil, these lands are continually reduced to farmland in the United States. Come help support maintaining the wildlife!

References bitats/grassland-profile/ packages.html