1. Temperate grassland (North American Plains) By: Austin FraserBy: Austin Fraser

2. Some General Information I am researching the North American plains, but more specifically the temperate grasslands. I am researching the North American plains, but more specifically the temperate grasslands. Temperate grasslands are composed of a rich mix of grasses and forbs and underlain by some of the world’s most fertile soils. Since the development of the steel plow most have been converted to agricultural lands. Filled with open fields of tall grasses and streams. The grasslands also do not have trees in their biome Temperate grasslands are composed of a rich mix of grasses and forbs and underlain by some of the world’s most fertile soils. Since the development of the steel plow most have been converted to agricultural lands. Filled with open fields of tall grasses and streams. The grasslands also do not have trees in their biome

3. Locations The name for this biome, temperate grasslands, is a great description for what it is like here. The most important plants in this biome are grasses! Temperate grasslands have some of the darkest, richest soils in the world (not in wealth, but in nutrients). People who live in grassland regions often use these soils for farming. In North America we call temperate grasslands prairies. Major grasslands in North America are the Great Plains of the Midwest, The Palouse Prairie of eastern Washington State, and other grasslands in the southwest. Also included are north, and south Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Wyoming and Nebraska. It is very much considered a tall grass prairie, for obvious reasons. The name for this biome, temperate grasslands, is a great description for what it is like here. The most important plants in this biome are grasses! Temperate grasslands have some of the darkest, richest soils in the world (not in wealth, but in nutrients). People who live in grassland regions often use these soils for farming. In North America we call temperate grasslands prairies. Major grasslands in North America are the Great Plains of the Midwest, The Palouse Prairie of eastern Washington State, and other grasslands in the southwest. Also included are north, and south Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Wyoming and Nebraska. It is very much considered a tall grass prairie, for obvious reasons.

4. Locations cont.

5. Climatogram of Topeka, Kansas. Just one of the many states in the temperate grasslands of the North American plains.

6. Plants of the North American plains Big Bluestem Grass- These are the most common plants. They can grow to be 12inches long and ½ inch wide. Big Bluestem Grass- These are the most common plants. They can grow to be 12inches long and ½ inch wide. Fleabane- Some say it’s a daisy look-a-like. They can grow to be 4-30 inches long. They grow in meadows, along streams and dirt roads. Fleabane- Some say it’s a daisy look-a-like. They can grow to be 4-30 inches long. They grow in meadows, along streams and dirt roads. Milkweed- This plant has leaves that are anywhere from red to yellow. Can grow to be 2- 3 ½ feet. Milkweed- This plant has leaves that are anywhere from red to yellow. Can grow to be 2- 3 ½ feet. Purple Coneflower- The purple cone flower has a reddish center and purple, red or white petals that hang down. It can grow to be 2-3 feet tall. Purple Coneflower- The purple cone flower has a reddish center and purple, red or white petals that hang down. It can grow to be 2-3 feet tall. Stinging Nettle- It looks like a harmless plant with little hairs on it, but can be dangerous. when you touch it with your bare skin, you will get a terrible sting, which is very painful. Stinging Nettle- It looks like a harmless plant with little hairs on it, but can be dangerous. when you touch it with your bare skin, you will get a terrible sting, which is very painful. Adaptations-grasses and tree species that have made adaptations to the hot summers and windy cold winters that can occur in this ecosystem. Adaptations-grasses and tree species that have made adaptations to the hot summers and windy cold winters that can occur in this ecosystem.

7. Animals/Species of the temperate grasslands Wolves- The thick foot pads on the bottoms of their feet so prevent loss of heat during cold weather or when it's wet. Wolves- The thick foot pads on the bottoms of their feet so prevent loss of heat during cold weather or when it's wet. Coyotes-Fur to keep them warm, speed to catch prey, sharp teeth to help them feed, and color of their fur might help them blend. Coyotes-Fur to keep them warm, speed to catch prey, sharp teeth to help them feed, and color of their fur might help them blend. Foxes-Large bushy tail to help balance when jumping, large ears for acute sense of hearing to help find prey. Foxes-Large bushy tail to help balance when jumping, large ears for acute sense of hearing to help find prey. Deer- Have long legs so that they can escape from predators or chase their own prey. Deer- Have long legs so that they can escape from predators or chase their own prey. Prairie Dog- They have their arms adapted so that they can burrow and hide from predators. Prairie Dog- They have their arms adapted so that they can burrow and hide from predators.

8. Species Spotlight (Endangered Species) “Gray Wolf” Wolves play a key role in keeping ecosystems healthy. They help keep deer and elk populations in check, which can benefit many other plant and animal species. The carcasses of their prey also help to redistribute nutrients and provide food for other wildlife species, like grizzly bears and scavengers. Wolves play a key role in keeping ecosystems healthy. They help keep deer and elk populations in check, which can benefit many other plant and animal species. The carcasses of their prey also help to redistribute nutrients and provide food for other wildlife species, like grizzly bears and scavengers. Where wolves are protected under the, the most common cause of death for wolves is conflict with people over livestock losses. While wolf predation on livestock is fairly uncommon, wolves that are suspected of preying on livestock are often killed, sometimes even entire packs. Where wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the most common cause of death for wolves is conflict with people over livestock losses. While wolf predation on livestock is fairly uncommon, wolves that are suspected of preying on livestock are often killed, sometimes even entire packs. Overall, the greatest threat to wolves is prejudice, fear and misunderstanding about the species. Many fairy tales and myths tend to misrepresent wolves as villainous, dangerous creatures. Overall, the greatest threat to wolves is prejudice, fear and misunderstanding about the species. Many fairy tales and myths tend to misrepresent wolves as villainous, dangerous creatures.

9. Human Impact(s) Urban Development- The biggest impact that humans have on grasslands is by developing open areas for farming or urban development. Such development is prevalent because grasslands are generally level areas with little need for major work to develop the land. The development of land drives animals away from populated areas and changes the conditions of the environment. We could change this by taking this argument to our state representative, who will then take it to congress to try and stress the importance of these grasslands and the problems they face. They could then set laws or acts in to place that would ban any urban development on land such as this. Urban Development- The biggest impact that humans have on grasslands is by developing open areas for farming or urban development. Such development is prevalent because grasslands are generally level areas with little need for major work to develop the land. The development of land drives animals away from populated areas and changes the conditions of the environment. We could change this by taking this argument to our state representative, who will then take it to congress to try and stress the importance of these grasslands and the problems they face. They could then set laws or acts in to place that would ban any urban development on land such as this.

10. Sources (APA Format) Wagner, Nancy. (No date of publication). What kinds of animals live in the temperate grasslands. Retrieved from: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/kinds-animals-live-temperate-grasslands-62868.html Wagner, Nancy. (No date of publication). What kinds of animals live in the temperate grasslands. Retrieved from: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/kinds-animals-live-temperate-grasslands-62868.html http://traveltips.usatoday.com/kinds-animals-live-temperate-grasslands-62868.html David, Halbe. (No date of publication). Animal adaptations for temperate grasslands. Retrieved from: http://www.ehow.com/info_8175993_animal-adaptations-temperate-grasslands.html David, Halbe. (No date of publication). Animal adaptations for temperate grasslands. Retrieved from: http://www.ehow.com/info_8175993_animal-adaptations-temperate-grasslands.html http://www.ehow.com/info_8175993_animal-adaptations-temperate-grasslands.html Dr. Susan L. Woodward. (Published in 2012). Temperate Grasslands. Retrieved from: https://php.radford.edu/~swoodwar/biomes/?page_id=173 Dr. Susan L. Woodward. (Published in 2012). Temperate Grasslands. Retrieved from: https://php.radford.edu/~swoodwar/biomes/?page_id=173 https://php.radford.edu/~swoodwar/biomes/?page_id=173 Kids do ecology.NCEAS. (published in2004). Biome Temperate grassland. Retrieved from: http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/grassland.html#people Kids do ecology.NCEAS. (published in2004). Biome Temperate grassland. Retrieved from: http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/grassland.html#people http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/grassland.html#people Defenders of Wildlife. (Published in 2014). Gray wolves, Threats to wolves. Retrieved from: http://www.defenders.org/gray-wolf/threats Defenders of Wildlife. (Published in 2014). Gray wolves, Threats to wolves. Retrieved from: http://www.defenders.org/gray-wolf/threats http://www.defenders.org/gray-wolf/threats Carr, Kevin. Demand Media. (No date of publication). Impacts of humans on the temperate grasslands. Retrieved from: http://classroom.synonym.com/impacts-humans-grassland-biomes-2594.html Carr, Kevin. Demand Media. (No date of publication). Impacts of humans on the temperate grasslands. Retrieved from: http://classroom.synonym.com/impacts-humans-grassland-biomes-2594.htmlhttp://classroom.synonym.com/impacts-humans-grassland-biomes-2594.html Author not specified. (Published in June 2001). Plants, animals, climate, and the North American temperate grasslands. Retrieved from: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/prairie.htm Author not specified. (Published in June 2001). Plants, animals, climate, and the North American temperate grasslands. Retrieved from: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/prairie.htmhttp://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/prairie.htm