The Grassland
The Grasslands biome is a semi-dry area with very few to no trees, it is dominated by grasses, both long and short grasses. The soils in the Grasslands are thin and too dry for trees to survive. There are three categories of Grasslands: the Prairies, the Steppe and the Savanna. The Grasslands are often found between the desert and forests. The Grasslands biome occupies about 1/4 of the Earth.
Location: Grassland biomes are found in the middle latitudes, in the interiors of continents. Grasslands are found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica.
Weather: The Grasslands in the southern hemisphere often get more precipitation than the Grasslands in the northern hemisphere. In the winters, the temperatures can fall below 4°C or 40°F and rise up to 21°C or 70°F in the summer. Rainfall is about 25 to 76 cm. or 10 to 30 in. in the northern hemisphere and 63 cm. to 150 cm. or 25-60 in. In the southern hemisphere. Grasslands get a significant amount of sun and wind.
Seasons: There tend to be two seasons, a growing season and a dormant season. Summers are typically wet and winters are typically dry. There can be long periods of drought in the Grasslands making this biome susceptible to fires.
Animals: There are many grazing and roaming animals in the Grassland biome. There are few shelters from predators for animals yet an abundance of grass for food. Many of the animals are herbivores due to the abundance of grass to eat. A significant number of animals have long legs or can move quickly to escape their predators. There are approximately 300 species of birds in this biome.
Plants: There are many species of grasses and wildflowers that grow in the Grassland biome, however, few to no trees are found there. There are both tall and short grasses that grow in abundance. Plants here adapt by being very resistant to drought and will re-grow after fires.
Location: Grassland biomes are found in the middle latitudes, in the interiors of continents. Grasslands are found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica.
Weather: The Grasslands in the southern hemisphere often get more precipitation than the Grasslands in the northern hemisphere. In the winters, the temperatures can fall below 4°C or 40°F and rise up to 21°C or 70°F in the summer. Rainfall is about 25 to 76 cm. or 10 to 30 in. in the northern hemisphere and 63 cm. to 150 cm. or 25-60 in. In the southern hemisphere. Grasslands get a significant amount of sun and wind.
Seasons: There tend to be two seasons, a growing season and a dormant season. Summers are typically wet and winters are typically dry. There can be long periods of drought in the Grasslands making this biome susceptible to fires.
Animals: There are many grazing and roaming animals in the Grassland biome. There are few shelters from predators for animals yet an abundance of grass for food. Many of the animals are herbivores due to the abundance of grass to eat. A significant number of animals have long legs or can move quickly to escape their predators. There are approximately 300 species of birds in this biome.
Plants: There are many species of grasses and wildflowers that grow in the Grassland biome, however, few to no trees are found there. There are both tall and short grasses that grow in abundance. Plants here adapt by being very resistant to drought and will re-grow after fires.
Plant and Animal Adaptations
Plants and animals living in the Grasslands must be able to adapt to the lack of trees and heavy brush for shelter as well as the seasonal drought and limited rainfall. Animals and plants must be able to adapt to the two seasons (summer and winter) of the Grasslands. Grasslands include prairies, steppes, plains and savannah. The Grasslands are on every con- tinent with the exception of Antarctica.
Plant Adaptations in the Grasslands Biome
Plants have many adaptations to survive the Grasslands Biome. The plants have deep, spreading root systems that allow them strength and moisture during times of drought. Most of the plants have long narrow leaves that don’t need as much water. The grasses grow from the bottom and grow close to the ground. They have strong roots which means they won’t be destroyed when animals walk on them or eat them. Grasslands are susceptible to fires but the plants hearty root system enables them to survive fires and soon after a fire, they will begin sprouting. The softer stems allow the plants to bend rather than break in the Grassland winds. Many of the plants are pollinated by the windy conditions of the Grass- land. Some of the grasses and bushes have attractive blossoms which attract insects to pollinate them.
Examples of Plants found in the Grasslands:
There are two main types of plants in the Grasslands, grasses and shrubs. There are thousands of types of grasses in the grasslands. Prairie Rose, Gumweed, Gumbo Primrose, Spiderwort, Golden Rod, Clover, Wild Indigo, and Coneflower.
Plant Adaptations in the Grasslands Biome
Plants have many adaptations to survive the Grasslands Biome. The plants have deep, spreading root systems that allow them strength and moisture during times of drought. Most of the plants have long narrow leaves that don’t need as much water. The grasses grow from the bottom and grow close to the ground. They have strong roots which means they won’t be destroyed when animals walk on them or eat them. Grasslands are susceptible to fires but the plants hearty root system enables them to survive fires and soon after a fire, they will begin sprouting. The softer stems allow the plants to bend rather than break in the Grassland winds. Many of the plants are pollinated by the windy conditions of the Grass- land. Some of the grasses and bushes have attractive blossoms which attract insects to pollinate them.
Examples of Plants found in the Grasslands:
There are two main types of plants in the Grasslands, grasses and shrubs. There are thousands of types of grasses in the grasslands. Prairie Rose, Gumweed, Gumbo Primrose, Spiderwort, Golden Rod, Clover, Wild Indigo, and Coneflower.
Animal Adaptations in the Grasslands Biome
Many Grassland animals are very fast which helps them escape predators and others are camouflaged in their outer layer which protects they from their prey. It’s felt that many of the animals are only active during the rain season. Many of the Grassland animals are herbivores and will graze on the grasses found in the Grasslands. Many grazing animals have developed digestive systems that enable them to survive on grasses. Smaller animals in the Grasslands hide easily in the grasses. Some prairie animals have front paws and leg that help them to burrow into the ground. Many Grassland animals are nocturnal which means they are only active at night and are concealed from predators during the day.
Examples of Animals found in the Grasslands:
Mice, Prairie Dogs, Insects, Bison, Zebras, Elephants, Giraffes, Lion, Brown Hyena, Warthog, Ostrich, Bumble Bees, Coyotes, Elk, Kangaroos.
Many Grassland animals are very fast which helps them escape predators and others are camouflaged in their outer layer which protects they from their prey. It’s felt that many of the animals are only active during the rain season. Many of the Grassland animals are herbivores and will graze on the grasses found in the Grasslands. Many grazing animals have developed digestive systems that enable them to survive on grasses. Smaller animals in the Grasslands hide easily in the grasses. Some prairie animals have front paws and leg that help them to burrow into the ground. Many Grassland animals are nocturnal which means they are only active at night and are concealed from predators during the day.
Examples of Animals found in the Grasslands:
Mice, Prairie Dogs, Insects, Bison, Zebras, Elephants, Giraffes, Lion, Brown Hyena, Warthog, Ostrich, Bumble Bees, Coyotes, Elk, Kangaroos.