III. Grasslands

A. Climate/Definition 1. It is an ecosystem in which there is too much water to be a desert but not enough to be a forest 2. Found everywhere except land that is snow and ice covered 3. Desert-grassland boundary is the area between the two where rain increases and grass can grow a. Changes in climate shift the boundary

B. Organisms 1. Plants a. Grasses are the most common; not as affected by fire 1. One rye plant can be 2 m high with 600 km of roots b. Growth is limited by rainfall 1. Fire is close second c. Fire replenishes nutrients allowing new growth to occur

2. Animals a. Mostly grazing and burrowing animals b. Very important to the health of the grasses

C. Effects of Climate 1. Dry areas have thin leaved grasses, wetter have large, thick coarse leaves 2. Grasslands have rainy and drought seasons 3. Humans cultivate and often make irrigation means a. Changing many of grasslands drastically