Temperate Grasslands
By: Sarah C, Chelsea S, Chris M, & Alex R
Temperate Grasslands
Temperate Grasslands have the richest soil in the world. Because it is so rich, many people use it for farming. In North America, the Grasslands are known as prairies.
The Abiotic Factors
In the summer, the temperature can reach a high of 100°F. In the winter the temperature can reach a low -40°F. The rainfall normally ranges from 10-35 inches of rainfall per year in the late spring and summer. Seasonal drought may cause forest fires which is a big role. Lightning also eliminates majority of the trees which makes the temperate grasslands so open.
Geographic Location
Temperate grasslands originate in North America. It is mostly in the central area of the country with minimal plants and life because of the hot and dry climate. Grasslands are also found in other countries around the world. The names of the grasslands around the world are the Veldts of South Africa, the Puszta of Hungary, the Pampas of Argentina and Uruguay, and the Steppes of Russia and China.
Vegetation and Animals in the Grasslands
Cotton Woods
The trees has to survive the prairie fires in order to live on the Great Plains. They did this by typically growing on the edges of rivers and streams and by developing a very thick, corky bark upon maturity.
Oak Trees
With good drainage oak trees can survive the extreme heat of the temperate grasslands, where temperatures may reach above 40 degrees Celsius. This is again due to their complex root system, where they can search for water very deep in the ground.
Ombu Trees
Found in South Africa' s grasslands it is the only tree that lives in the pampas because it doesn't need a lot of water to live or survive.
Bisons
A bison has flat top teeth and a digestive system adapted to eat grass. A bison eats grass and feeds on basically anything available.
Gazelles
Gazelles are able to shrink their liver to 30% to conserve water in the grassland. They have also adapted to running at a fast pace to escape from predators in this open grassland without any place to hide.
Prairie Dogs
They live in the grassland biome in North America. They have adapted to burrowing holes to escape to when being chased by a predator.
Works Cited
"Fun with Flora, Fauna, Fungi (& Food)." : Spotlight on the Prairie Ecosytem: Prairie Dogs and Ferrets. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.
"Grasslands -- National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.
"Plants." Grasslands. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.
"Plants." Temperate Grasslands. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.
"Temperate Grasslands Biome." Temperate Grasslands Biome. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2016.
"Temperate Grasslands." Defenders of Wildlife. N.p., 24 Apr. 2012. Web. 16 May 2016.