1. Temperate Grasslands Hearts for Homelands

2. The World of Temperate Grasslands

3. Temperate Grasslands  Temperate grasslands are located north of the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees North) and south of the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees South). The major temperate grasslands include the veldts of Africa, the pampas of South America, the steppes of Eurasia, and the plains of North America.  Grasses are the dominant vegetation. Trees and large shrubs are largely absent.  Temperate grasslands have soils that are nutrient-rich from the growth and decay of deep, many-branched grass roots.

4. Temperate Grassland Climate  Temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can be well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures can be as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.  They typically have between 10 and 35 inches of precipitation a year, much of it occurring in the late spring and early summer.  Snow often serves as a reservoir of moisture for the beginning of the growing season.  Seasonal drought and occasional fires help maintain these grasslands.

5. Average Monthly Rainfall

6. Average Monthly Temperature

7. Unique Features of this Biome  Due to its excess of available plants it can sustain large herbivores, and therefore a wide variety of carnivores  When rainy season arrives, many grasslands become coated with flowers, some of which can survive well into winter with the help of underground storage organs and thick stem bases.  No other habitat is as agriculturally useful to humans as grasslands. Soils tend to be deep and fertile, perfect for cropland or pastures. Much of the North American prairielands have been converted into one of the richest agricultural regions on Earth.  Fires, both natural and human-caused, are important in maintaining grasslands. Grasses are able to survive fires because they grow from the bottom instead of the top.

8. Environmental Issues  Soil in these areas is incredibly rich, causing this biome to be turned into farms or ranches, resulting in overuse and consumption of the grassland by agricultural practices. This leads to a decrease in biodiversity.  Plowing of grasslands, combined with wind has lead to huge dust storms, such as those which created the Great Dust Bowl in the American Depression of the mid 1920s.  Overgrazing and salt build-up from irrigation of the land have turned these areas into near-wastelands.

9. Best Time to Visit and View Wildlife  The best time(s) to visit for both the best scenery and wildlife is the summer  Our most popular wildlife species are: bison, pronghorn, gophers, prairie dogs, wolves, coyotes, swift foxes, badgers, and black-footed ferrets.  Birds include: grouses, meadowlarks, quails, sparrows, hawks and owls.

10. Plants  Grasses dominate temperate grasslands.  Trees and large shrubs are rarely found in grassland areas.  There are many species of grasses that live in this biome, including, purple needlegrass, wild oats, foxtail, ryegrass, and buffalo grass. Many animals munch on these grasses, but they survive because the growth point on the grasses is very close to the ground.

11. Plant and Animal Adaptions  Fires are important for maintaining grasslands. During a fire, while above-ground portions of grasses may perish, the root portions survive to sprout again. Some prairie trees have thick bark to resist fire. Prairie shrubs readily resprout after fire.  The most predominant species found in the temperate grasslands are large grass-eating (herbivorous) ungulates (hoofed mammals), who are able to take full advantage of the various grasses found there and who have a specially adaptive digestive system to process the grasses. Because of the relatively short height of plants, they are able to see a predator from a distance and have adapted to be able to run swiftly away from danger.

12. Tourism Activities  Bird watching  Wildlife watching  Horseback riding  Hiking  Backpacking  Photography  Biking.

13. Sources  http://wildtracks.wordpress.com/world- ecosystems/grassland-ecosystems/temperate-grassland- ecosystem/ http://wildtracks.wordpress.com/world- ecosystems/grassland-ecosystems/temperate-grassland- ecosystem/  http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/adapt.html http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/adapt.html  http://www.defenders.org/grasslands/temperate- grasslands http://www.defenders.org/grasslands/temperate- grasslands