What is a grassland?
Grassland biomes can be found in the middle latitudes of most continents. The grassland climate ranges from moist to dry, depending on the specific area. In the winter, grassland temperatures can be as low as -40° F, and in the summer it can be as high 70° F. Plants usually start growing when the daily temperature reached about 50° F. The amount of rainfall is very important in determining which areas are grasslands and which areas are not, simply because it's hard for trees to compete with grasses in extreme climates.
Grassland biomes can be found in the middle latitudes of most continents. The grassland climate ranges from moist to dry, depending on the specific area. In the winter, grassland temperatures can be as low as -40° F, and in the summer it can be as high 70° F. Plants usually start growing when the daily temperature reached about 50° F. The amount of rainfall is very important in determining which areas are grasslands and which areas are not, simply because it's hard for trees to compete with grasses in extreme climates.
Animals:
The animal diversity mainly depends on the specific location of the grassland biome. All grasslands lack the trees and heavy bush to hide many creatures. Because of the openness and the widely spaced trees, grasslands are primarily home to large herds of grazing mammals. However, many animals are active only during the rainy season. The grassland is home to zebras, giraffes, bison, lions, ostriches, pronghorns, hyenas, elephants and rhinoceros.
The animal diversity mainly depends on the specific location of the grassland biome. All grasslands lack the trees and heavy bush to hide many creatures. Because of the openness and the widely spaced trees, grasslands are primarily home to large herds of grazing mammals. However, many animals are active only during the rainy season. The grassland is home to zebras, giraffes, bison, lions, ostriches, pronghorns, hyenas, elephants and rhinoceros.
Plants:
Most of the plant life in the grasslands are grasses, which include the Big Bluestem Grass, the Buffalo Grass, the Milkweed and the Stinging Nettle. Many plants adapt to the life of a grassland. For example, soft stems enable prairie grasses to bend in the wind and narro leaves minimize water loss. These are only some adaptations that plants have to make to be able to survive in a grassland. Many grasses in a grassland are wind pollinated and are well-suited to the harsh winds of the grasslands.
Most of the plant life in the grasslands are grasses, which include the Big Bluestem Grass, the Buffalo Grass, the Milkweed and the Stinging Nettle. Many plants adapt to the life of a grassland. For example, soft stems enable prairie grasses to bend in the wind and narro leaves minimize water loss. These are only some adaptations that plants have to make to be able to survive in a grassland. Many grasses in a grassland are wind pollinated and are well-suited to the harsh winds of the grasslands.
Grassland FacGrasslands are also known as prairies, pampas, steppes, and savannas. Grassland Facts:
- Grasslands are also known as prairies, pampas, steppes, and savannas.
- Grassland biomes are normally situated between a forest and a desert. In fact, grasslands surround every desert in Asia.
- There is a grassland biome on each continent with the exception of Antarctica.
- Fires are both common and important to the grassland to ensure that invasive plants do not take over.
- Tropical grassland biomes are located in the Southern Hemisphere while temperate grassland biomes are located in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Large animals called bison previously ruled the grassland biome and roamed by the millions.