Temperate Grassland

1
Temperate Grassland

• Kendall E
• Hayley S

2
Temperate Grassland

• Temperate grasslands are characterized by rolling
  hills and vast plains. (Miller, 137)
• They are located on the interior of continents
  (in the center).
• Types
• Steppes short grasses
• Prairies tall grasses
• Regional Names
• North America Prairies/Plains
• Europe/Asia Steppes
• South Africa Veldts
• South America Pampas
• Hungary Puszta
• (The Wild Classroom)

3
Climate Characteristics

• Climate Extremes
• Hot/dry summers
• Extremely cold winters
• (Miller, 137)
• Precipitation
• Moderate Rainfall
• Occurs mostly in spring/summer
• 25-100 cm/year
• Affects grass height
• DrierShorter
• (ThinkQuest)
• Temperature
• Wide temperature range
• Hot summers 38C
• Cold winters -40C
• (University of California Museum of
  Paleontology)

4
Climate Characteristics

• How do temperature and precipitation relate?

5
Climate Characteristics

• Other Abiotic Factors
• Rich/Fertile Soil
• Decomposed roots hold soil together are provide
  food to plants.
• Good for farming
• (University of California Museum of
  Paleontology)
• Fires
• Caused by lightening from common storms
• Spread quickly across grass
• Prevent trees from growing
• Clear land and nourish soil
• Germinate some seeds
• (The Wild Classroom)

6
Geographic Location

• All over the world
• In the inside areas of continents
• Typically in North and South America, Asia, and
  Europe
• Largest grasslands are in Asia and N. America
• (University of California Museum of
  Paleontology)

7
Flora

• Many plants are drought tolerant (unlike trees).
• Drought, fire, animal grazing prevent trees and
  wood plants from growing here-grassland flora can
  handle these factors
• (Miller, 137)
• May find some trees (cottonwoods, willows) in
  river valleys where there is more moisture.
• (University of California Museum of
  Paleontology)

8
Flora

• Dominated by grasses (WWF)
• 90 of Biomass
• Grow best with varying temperature, rainfall, and
  rich soil of the different grassland areas.
• Endure drought
• Grass height depends on precipitation
• Wetter regionstaller grass
• Main types (The Wild Classroom)
• Blue grama
• Buffalo grass
• Purple needlegrass
• Galleta

9
Flora

• Along with grasses many types of flowers thrive
  in grasslands (University of California Museum
  of Paleontology)
• Asters
• Blazing Stars
• Goldenrods
• Sunflowers
• Clovers
• Wild Indigos
• And others

10
Fauna

• Many insects
• Live off the plants
• Beetles, Spiders, Grasshoppers (Miller, 137)
• Ants/Earthworms in soil
• Withstand desiccation
• Primary Consumers
• Smaller animals
• Prairie dogs, deer mice, jackrabbits,
  meadowlarks, bison, and many others.
• Survive because of burrow living and also speed.
  
• (Miller, 137)

11
Fauna

• Adapted to windy/dry conditions. (University of
  California Museum of Paleontology)
• Higher level consumers
• Coyotes, deer, bobcats, foxes, hawks, snakes, and
  many others.
• Many larger species such as wolves and pumas have
  been hunted, severely decreasing their
  population.
• (Miller, 137)

12
Biodiversity

• Affected by drought, fires, and grazing animals.
• Largely dominated by vegetation (The Wild
  Classroom)
• A few major types of grasses- but there are
  hundreds of others.
• Flowers and shrubs
• There are many small animals and primary
  consumers along with a large amount of insects.
• There are fewer high level consumers due to
  hunting.
• (Miller, 137)
• Shannon Diversity Index would be middle to high
  ranges because although there are many organisms,
  vegetation is dominated by a few types of grasses
  and there are not many large predators.

Pyramid of Biomass
13
Environmental Concerns

• Farming
• Flat ground with few trees
• Good soil
• (Miller, 137)
• Fires
• Caused by humans spread very quickly
• (The Wild Classroom)
• Dust Storms
• Caused by plowing and wind. Ex Dust Bowl
• (ThinkQuest)
• Hunting of Animals
• Buffalo

14
References

• Audel, Hazen. "Temperate Grassland." Biomes of
  the World. 2003. The Wild Classroom. 20 Oct. 2008
  lthttp//www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/grasslands
  .htmlgt.
• "Ecosystems Biomes and Trophic Structure." ISB
  202 Global Change. 23 Jan. 2007. Michigan State
  University. 20 Oct. 2008 lthttps//www.msu.edu/cour
  se/isb/202/ebertmay/notes/snotes/01_23_07_biomes.h
  tmlgt.
• "Grasslands." Think Quest. Oracle. 20 Oct. 2008
  lthttp//library.thinkquest.org/28082/grasslands.ht
  mlgt.
• "Grasslands." What's It Like Where You Live.
  2002. Missouri Botannical Garden. 20 Oct. 2008
  lthttp//www.mbgnet.net/sets/grasslnd/index.htmgt.
• Miller, G. Tyler. "Grassland, Tundra, and
  Chaparral Biomes." Living in the Environment.
  12th ed. 136-37.
• "Temperate Grasslands, Savannas and Shrubland
  Ecoregions." WWF. 11 July 2006. World Wildlife
  Fund. 20 Oct. 2008 lthttp//www.panda.org/about_wwf
  /where_we_work/ecoregions/about/habitat_types/sele
  cting_terrestrial_ecoregions/habitat08.cfmgt.
• Thomas, Robert, and Margaret Orr. "The Grassland
  Biome." University of California Museum of
  Paleontology. 2001. California Academy of
  Sciences. 20 Oct. 2008 lthttp//www.ucmp.berkeley.e
  du/exhibits/biomes/grasslands.phpgt.
• "Wild Flowers." Nps.gov. 6 July 2007. National
  Parks Service. 20 Oct. 2008 lthttp//www.nps.gov/wi
  ca/naturescience/wildflowers-missouri-goldenrod.ht
  mgt.