Grassland
Emma Pincheon- pd. 4
Vitals and Climate of Grassland
Grasslands vary all over the world. Many of the grassland areas exist in North America in the U.S. This intresting biome is also in South America, Europe, and even some areas in Africa. The animals and plants range depending on where the area is in the world. The North American grassland is called the Praires, the South America region is called the Pampas, Europe is called the Steppes, and the parts of South Africa are named the Velt and Savanna.
In the North American Praire, many of the abiotic factors consist of buffalo grass, coneflowers, and clover. Rainfall can range to around 30-40 inches of rain a year. The climate is warmer in the spring and summer (65-80 degrees), and chilly in the winters (close to 30 to 40 degrees can be the coldest). The grass by the East coast is very tall, and the climate is humid and wet. The grass near the West coast is much shorter, and the winters are cold, and the summers are rainy. European climates are similar, but they have a little colder winters. Rainfall is about the same, and the springs and summers are warm and comfortable.
South America's grassland regions are similar to the ones in Africa and some of North America. The climate is humid and moist through most of the year (70-95 degrees). Grasslands tend to get more precipatation in the southern hempisphere than the northern. African climates are hot and humid, and they tend to get little rainfall (10-30 inches). These areas have less plants because of the amount of rainfall .
Grassland Biome in CA
The areas of grassland in Western America are spacious and wide. Europe is very similar to North America areas. Africa and South American grasslands are humid with little to no rainfall, and they have slim to no hills and valleys.
Location of Grasslands
Grassland regions are all over the world. According to this map, the areas are popular in the mid west of America, the south eastern part of South America, South Africa, Central Europe, and north eastern Asia.
Antelope Grazing in South Africa
Animals in grassland areas range from giraffes and zebras to mountain lions and buffalo. In the colder and less humid climates (U.S.A., Europe, and a portion of Asia), many mountainous and smaller species settle here. In Africa, giraffes, zebras, and elephants call some of the grassland their home.
Fun Facts
- If a fire occurs on a grassland area, it can spread as fast as 600 feet per minute.
- There are mostly herbivores living in the European grasslands, and there are mostly carnivores living in African grasslands.
- About one quarter of the earth is covered with grassland regions.
- Grasslands have more short plants than large ones, such as trees.
Indian Grass
This specific type of grass (also known as
Sorghastrum Nutans) is found in most grassland areas in the world. The brown colored grass can adapt to climates very easily. It grows in all seasons and can be up to eight feet tall.
Zinnias
Zinnias grow and adapt well in hot and humid desert like climates. They flourish in the south eastern part of South America, Arizona, and New Mexico. Zinnias need well drained soil, and they come in many different colors such as pink, orange, and yellow.
Umbrella Thorn Acacia
Found in the South African grasslands, the Umbrella Thorn Acacia is perfered by herbivores such as giraffes. It grows in humid climates where there may or may not be much rain. It can be up to around 70 feet tall. In the tree, there are seeds with little pods inside that are some what small and flat.
Clover
Clover is one of the most common plants found in grassland areas. It is found in North America, Asia, and Europe. The small green leaves live in most climates, but perfer warmer spring- like weather.
Fleabane
Fleabane blooms in April to June (warmer climates) in areas most in Europe. The daisy like plant can be anywhere from 4 to 25 inches tall, and it's usually 2 to 3 inches wide.
Stinging Nettle
Most common in North America, the stinging nettle is unpleasant to touch because it causes a stinging feeling on your skin. Living mostly in the shade by creeks and brooks, the stinging nettle is most of the time 2 to 4 feet tall. It sometimes lives in short praire grass as well.
Ecological Concerns
Although these beautiful areas of wide opens spaces are breath taking, there are many concerns that grassland areas are decreasing in size and population. The amount of rainfall that grasslands in Africa, South America, and even North America are recieving are minimal. This is partially due to global warming. Many people are moving into these areas and are overtaking animal's habitats. When crops are being grown in the area, pests and disease can spread, and this affects the plant life in grassland regions. This biome is so important to the world because it is a very wide spread and popular area for animals and plants. Its climate is perfect for many species, so they settle here. Without the grassland area, many animals and plants would die out, and we as the people would loose many resouces such as trees. Some endangered species of this biome are the African zebras and the American bison. The zebras are dying off because their predators are eating them all, and the bison is dying because many of its resources like its food are limited. They resources are becomeing depleated because of the amount people farming the land. Hopefully the beautiful scenaries will not disappear as long as we protect the grassland areas.
Caribou
This large animal lives mostly in North America and Europe and are eaten by grey wolves (their predator). The feed on twigs, grass, and other plants making them first order hetrotrophs or herbivores. This large animal adapts very well to warm and cooler climates because of its large and warmer coat.
African Lion
Being one one of the most fierce animals, the lion eats african giraffes (their prey) as well as zebras and antelope. They are second order hetrotrophs because they eat meat. Lions compete with cheetahs and hyenas for their main source of food like the baboon. They use predation by capturing one organsim and feed on it. African lions adapt very well to the humid and hot summers in Africa. It only has one predator which is the cheetah. They like wide open spaces, so they can spot their prey much eaiser.
American Grey Wolf
The wolf eats many animals such as elk, deer, and moose making them carnivores. Living mostly in the colder areas, like America and Europe, they prefer warmer springs and cooler winters, but not to the point where they are extremely hot or cold. Wolves compete with coyotes which also are carnivores. The two species are very similar, and like to eat similar things like rabbits. The wolf doesn't have a predator in his area of the grassland which gives him the advantage for survival.
Giraffe
Being one of the tallest animals in the animal kingdom, giraffes have advantages and disadvantages for living in open areas. Their diet consits of mostly Acaia Trees and any other trees with leaves. They benefit with their long necks for reaching high places, but they have many predators like the cheetah, leopard, lion, and heyena. Adapting to the African land should not be difficult for the giraffe because it has easy access to its food. Its long tongue helps it strech even more to get water.
Praire Dog
Building its habitat more in the northern hemisphere, prarie dogs adapt quicker to the green and grassy fields. However, they look very apealing to the coyote. They compete with mice and other small animals that want frogs and birds. They work hard together with a group of other dogs that consider themselves family (mutualism). Everyone in the group protects each other, and they help bring back food for the family of praire dogs.
Hyena
Hyenas live in African grasslands and are great adapters to the climate. They feast on many kinds of animals such as zebras and baboons. Nothing eats the hyena making it easy for it to live without much competion. At times, it may compete with the lion or leopard for its prey because they eat the same things.
Food Webs
The photo above shows the food web in an African grassland. There are few primary producers (grass, trees), and there are many primary and secondary consumers that are vital to the area. The photo below represents the North American grasssland areas. There are many herbivores or hetrotrophs.
References
Grasslands Biome: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm
World Biomes: http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_grassland.htm
Grassland Threats:
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/grassland-threats/
WWF Grassland Animal Life: http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/ecoregions/about/habitat_types/habitats/grasslands/animal_life/
Grassland Basic Facts: http://www.defenders.org/grasslands/basic-facts