Prairie Grassland Biome
By: Taylor Zehm
Grasses
Porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spatrea), Little blue stem (Schizachyrium scorparium), Big Bluestem (Andropogon geradii), and Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) are the dominant plant life in the prairies. These plants thrive in moderately wet to dry soil conditions. The picture to the right shows Porcupine grass.
Glacier Impact
Location
This biome is found on the western half and a south western portion of Minnesota. The midsummer's are dry and hot, while the winters are cold. Precipitation is minimal, as wildfires are a common and necessary occurrence.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/virtual_tour/big_stone_lake/dialup.html
Wild Fires
The pictures above and above left show fields that are predominantly native grasses. Prairie grasses benefit greatly from a wild fire. These grasses have very long roots that go deep into the ground to protect them from the heat of fire, and once next spring rolls around they'll be able to grow among the charred remains of the invasive species trying to pry themselves into these prairies. Due to prairies naturally being rather dry, these fires are of notably reoccurring events.
Animals
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/American_bison_k5680-1.jpg
Bibliography
Rescources, 1 Jan. 2015. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
Chayka, K. Minnesota Wildflowers. Minnesota Environment and Natural
Resources Trust Fund, 1 Jan. 2015. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.