2. Grasslands Ecology 2 nd Period Mrs. Dunnavant Brian Childers & Andŕea Greene

3. Location Grassland are located in every continent except Antarctica. Grassland are located in every continent except Antarctica. Grassland are found around the globe and have served as grazing areas for a big number of animals, and have been oppressed as farming grounds or plantations by humans. Grassland are found around the globe and have served as grazing areas for a big number of animals, and have been oppressed as farming grounds or plantations by humans. About one quarter of the earth is grasslands. About one quarter of the earth is grasslands. The grassland consist of grasses, flowers, and herbs. The grassland consist of grasses, flowers, and herbs.

4. Grasslands Animals Grasslands Animals The grasslands are home to many creatures because of the open landscape and wide spaced trees. The grasslands are home to many creatures because of the open landscape and wide spaced trees. But most animals are active during the rainy season But most animals are active during the rainy season Some animal that live in the grasslands are. Some animal that live in the grasslands are. African elephants, black footed ferret, brown hyena, prairie dog, and ostrich. African elephants, black footed ferret, brown hyena, prairie dog, and ostrich. The insect prairie mole cricket The insect prairie mole cricket The Blanding's turtle The Blanding's turtle

5. Characteristics & Population The grasslands are composed of Prairies, Steppe, and Savannas. The grasslands are composed of Prairies, Steppe, and Savannas. Grasslands are extremely hot in summer time and are very cold during the winter. Grasslands are extremely hot in summer time and are very cold during the winter. Grasslands receive between 10 and 30 inches of rainfall a year Grasslands receive between 10 and 30 inches of rainfall a year Because the grassland soil is so nutrient most grasslands have been turned into commercial farms Because the grassland soil is so nutrient most grasslands have been turned into commercial farms

6. Grassland Plants and Trees Although trees can not grow well in temperate grasslands due to the lack of moisture, crops and flowers can grow because of the relatively rapid decomposition of humus, which releases nutrients for them to grow. Although trees can not grow well in temperate grasslands due to the lack of moisture, crops and flowers can grow because of the relatively rapid decomposition of humus, which releases nutrients for them to grow. PLANTS : African Daisy Aloe Bermuda grass Canary Grass Glory Lily Switch Grass Milk Weed Sweet Cone Flower Stinging Nettle Balsam Root TREES: Acacia Boababs Snappy Gums Ponderosa Pines Box Elder Silver Maple Red Bud Glossy Privet Siberian Elm Russian olive

7. Interesting Facts In Asia and Europe grasslands are known as Steppes. Pampas are what grasslands are called in South America. Grasslands are called Savannas in Africa. In North America, we call grasslands Prairies. Many grassland animals are becoming extinct. Savannah's have two seasons, a dry season and a wet season.

8. The Human Influence Humans have made more croplands and fewer grasslands. Humans have made more croplands and fewer grasslands.

9. Positive Human Influence In some places, national parks are set up to preserve the grasslands and grasses are replanted in some other places where grasses have been cleared for farming. In some places, national parks are set up to preserve the grasslands and grasses are replanted in some other places where grasses have been cleared for farming. This increasing awareness is certainly necessary in protecting the grassland biomes. This increasing awareness is certainly necessary in protecting the grassland biomes. Today, only about 1% of grasslands is officially protected but governments are now more aware of this issue. Today, only about 1% of grasslands is officially protected but governments are now more aware of this issue.

10. Animal Adaptations in the Grasslands: The animals that live in grasslands have adapted to: The animals that live in grasslands have adapted to: Dry, windy conditions. Dry, windy conditions. There are grazing animals (that eat the grass), burrowing animals, and their predators; insects are abundant. There are grazing animals (that eat the grass), burrowing animals, and their predators; insects are abundant. A moderate of level species diversity exists on a grassland. A moderate of level species diversity exists on a grassland.

11. Examples Of Adaptations

12. The Grassland’s Food Web

13. Links Links - Links - Biomes of the World - Tropical Savanna http://www.snowcrest.net/geography/slides/bio mes/savannah.htm Tropical Savannah http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsy sflr/savannah.html Grasslands http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/grasslnd/index.ht m Grasslands http://www.panda.org/kids/wildlife/idxgrsmn.ht m Biomes of the World - Tropical Savanna http://www.snowcrest.net/geography/slides/bio mes/savannah.htm Tropical Savannah http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsy sflr/savannah.html Grasslands http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/grasslnd/index.ht m Grasslands http://www.panda.org/kids/wildlife/idxgrsmn.ht m http://www.snowcrest.net/geography/slides/bio mes/savannah.htm http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsy sflr/savannah.html http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/grasslnd/index.ht m http://www.panda.org/kids/wildlife/idxgrsmn.ht m http://www.snowcrest.net/geography/slides/bio mes/savannah.htm http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsy sflr/savannah.html http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/grasslnd/index.ht m http://www.panda.org/kids/wildlife/idxgrsmn.ht m