Grassland“The Bread Basket of the World”

Found on every continent.

GrasslandGrasslands are known by many names.

U.S.A. – Prairie or Plains

•Asia – Steppe

•South America – Pampas

•Africa –Veldt or Savanna

•Australia - Savanna

Grassland

• Wet seasons followed by a season of drought

• 25 to 75 cm precipitation yearly

Grassland• In winter,

temperatures can plummet to well below 0ºF(-17ºC)in some areas.

• In summer, temperatures can reach above 90ºF (32ºC).

Grassland

• The soil is rich and fertile.

• The grass has extensive root systems, called sod.

Plants of the Grassland

Grassland regions of the world are important farming areas. Cereal and grains grow here.

Examples:

•Wheat

•Rye

•Barley

•Corn

Plants of the Grassland

•Wheat

Plants of the Grassland

•Rye

Plants of the Grassland

•Barley

Plants of the Grassland

•Corn

Plants of the GrasslandADAPTATIONS

During a fire, while above-ground portions of grasses may perish, the root

portions survive to sprout again

Some prairie trees have thick bark to resist fire

Prairie shrubs readily resprout after fire

Roots of prairie grasses extend deep into the ground to absorb as much moisture

as they can

Extensive root systems prevent grazing animals from pulling roots out of the

ground

Prairie grasses have narrow leaves which lose less water than broad leaves

Grasses grow from near their base, not from tip, thus are not permanently

damaged from grazing animals or fire

Many grasses take advantage of exposed, windy conditions and are wind

pollinated

Soft stems enable prairie grasses to bend in the wind

http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/

Animals of the Grassland

The most noticeable animals in grassland ecosystems are usually grazing mammals.

Animals of the American Grassland

•Bison

Animals of the American Grassland

•Prairie Dog

Animals of the American Grassland

•Pronghorn

Animals of the American Grassland

•Coyote

Tropical Grassland - Savanna

Tropical Grassland -Savanna

• Wet (summer) seasons followed by a (winter) season of drought

• Usually slightly cooler in the dry season

• 100 to 150 cm precipitation yearly

Tropical Grassland -Savanna

• The winter temperature is about 20-25 degrees Celsius

• and the summer is 25-30 degrees Celsius.

Plants of the Savanna

Plants

Baobab

Plants of the Savanna

Plants

Acacia Senegal

Plants of the Savanna

Plants

Elephant Grass

Plants of the SavannaPlants

Acacia Senegal

Baobab

Bermuda Grass

Candelabra Tree

Elephant Grass

Gum Tree Eucalyptus

Jackalberry Tree

Jarrah tree

Kangaroo Paw

Manketti Tree

River Bushwillow

Umbrella Thorn Acacia

Whistling Thorn

Animals of the African Grassland

•Gazelle

Animals of the African Grassland

•Wildebeest

Animals of the African Grassland

•Lion

Animals of the African Grassland

•Elephant

Animals of the African Grassland

•Giraffe

Animals of the Australian GrasslandAustralian grassland animals are

marsupials

•Kangaroo

Animals of the Australian Grassland

•Long Nosed Bandicoot

Animals of the Australian Grassland

•Wallaby

Animals of the Australian Grassland

•Wombat