Grasslands

Grassland Location and Climate

Grasslands are characterized as lands dominated by grasses rather than large shrubs or trees. There are two main divisions of grasslands: (1) tropical grasslands, called savannas, and (2) temperate grasslands. Temperate grasslands (the plains and prairies of central North America) have hot summers and cold winters. The temperature range is very large over the course of the year. The yearly range can be between -20°C to 30°C but summer temperatures can be well over 38°C while winter temperatures can be as low as -30°C.

 

The amount of annual rainfall influences the height of grassland vegetation, with taller grasses in wetter regions. The soil of the temperate grasslands is deep and dark, with fertile upper layers. It is nutrient-rich from the growth and decay of deep, many-branched grass roots. Seasonal drought, occasional fires, and grazing by large mammals all prevent woody shrubs and trees from invading and becoming established. However, a few trees, such as cottonwoods, oaks, and willows grow in river valleys, and a few hundred species of flowers, grow among the grasses.

Grassland Animals

The animal life of the prairie include grazing mammals like deer, bison, and pronghorn antelope. Prairie dogs, jack rabbits, skunks, and badgers, mice and other rodents are common prairie inhabitants. Coyotes, foxes, weasels, and ferrets are some of the carnivorous mammals of the grasslands.

Also found are ground dwelling birds like grouses, meadowlarks, and quails, Sparrows, blackbirds, hawks, and owls are other avian species of the grasslands. A few species of reptiles like snakes, and insects like grasshoppers and leafhoppers, and spiders all inhabit the prairie. 

Grassland Animals

Prairie Dogs

Badger

Bison Coyote

Black Footed Ferret

Other Grassland Animals

Bumble Bee

Grassland Birds

American Goldfinch

Scissor Tail Flycatcher

Eastern King Bird

Greater Prairie Chicken

Killdeer

Magpie

Red Tailed HawkMeadowlar

kDickciss

el Yellow Headed Blackbird

Grassland GrassesThe various species of grasses growing on the prairie include: Needle grass Grama grasses Buffalo grass Big and little blue stem.

Flowers include: Asters and Blazing stars Coneflowers and Sunflowers Goldenrods Clovers Thistles Milkweed

Other Grassland Vegetation

Flowers and Weeds

Fleabane

Purple Cone Flower

MilkweedNettle

Flowers and Weeds

Golden RodThistle

Sunflower

Few natural prairie regions remain because most have been turned into farms or grazing land.