Grasses as far as the eye can see, swaying back and forth in undulating waves with nothing to break the relentless wind. The grassland biome spreads across the temperate and tropical areas of Earth’s continents, usually between mountain ranges. Precipitation falls rather sparsely, and the soil caters to plants like big bluestem, red oats grass, and coneflowers.

Known for their rich soil and burrowing creatures, temperate grasslands are found in regions of North America and Europe. They often have mild summers and cold winters. Most of the rain falls in the spring and summer months, and snow falls in winter. Savannas are tropical grasslands with both wet and dry seasons. Tropical savannas are found on the continents of Africa, Australia, South America, and Asia.

Grasslands offer habitat for a diverse range of creatures on land and in the air. While grasslands cover about one-fourth of the world’s land, they look much different than they did throughout history. Because of the relatively flat, open land and workable soil, grasslands are an area used by people for agriculture. Farmers raise livestock and grow crops in these regions. Grasslands provide open spaces for animals, plants, and people to live and grow. In this chapter, we will discover the benefits of grasslands as well as the flora and fauna found in this important and beautiful biome

THE GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM

Generally, grasslands are regions of level, open land in both temperate and tropical climates. Whether these ecosystems are called pampas, prairies, steppes, or savannas, grasslands are found throughout the world, and on every continent with the exception of Antarctica.

Temperate grasslands with rich soil are found in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Australia. Tropical grasslands are found close to the equator in Australia, Africa, Asia, and South America. The dry, dusty soil in this type of grassland is less fertile.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Overall, grasslands are dry with some precipitation in the form of rain or snow. Winds are relentless as stands of trees are few and far between. Depending on their location, temperatures can range from well below 32°F to around 86°F (0°C to 30°C).

Tropical grasslands, known as savannas, receive up to 50 inches (130 cm) of rain annually. But the rain comes all in one season, and then it is dry for the rest of the year. This weather pattern allows grasses and forbs to grow, but most tree species need water throughout the year to survive.

Temperate grasslands experience changing seasons. They receive precipitation throughout the year, with rain in spring and summer and snow in the frigid winter months. Taller grass species tend to grow in prairies, where they receive more water, and shorter grass species inhabit the drier steppe regions.

Tornado Alley

GRASS

Grasses belong to the family of plants known as Poaceae. Many grasses look similar to the untrained eye, but there are more than 10,000 unique species.

• Grass blades are the leaves of grass plants. They attach to the stem, or culm, at nodes.
• When left to grow, grasses develop a spikelet with flowers at the top of the culm for making seeds.
• Grasses are anchored by their roots, which grow deep into the ground to absorb water and nutrients.
• They hold on to soil, preventing erosion during windy and rainy conditions.

PLANTS

Grasses aren’t the only plants living in grasslands! Forbs are flowering plants with stems that die back each year. In grasslands, forbs are usually wildflowers, like sunflowers, goldenrod, and columbine. Although woody plants tend to be destroyed by grassland wildfires or damaged by drought conditions, some are able to survive.

ANIMALS

PREDATORS

Lions, cheetahs, jackals, wolves, coyotes, snakes, owls, hawks, and other predators are found in tropical savannas and temperate prairies and steppes. Many of these predators are sneaky, quick, and strong to catch prey, and some hunt in packs. They may have coloration to help them blend into the colors and patterns of grasslands to avoid detection.

Grassland Food Chain

BIRDS

Grasslands make successful habitat for foraging, hunting, and nesting for a variety of bird species. Because many grassland birds make nests on the ground, within reach of predators, they must be camouflaged. They’re often colored in browns and grays with barred and striped feathers to blend in with their surroundings.

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

With scales covering their body, reptiles can easily deal with the dry seasons in prairies and savannas. If they get warm, they can retreat to shade under plants or rocks. When they are cold, they can sun themselves in the open. Amphibians, on the other hand, must stay moist because they use their skin to take in oxygen. For amphibian species, burrowing in the soil, hiding under a rock, or living near a wetland or stream makes sense.

INVERTEBRATES

Invertebrates may be some of the smallest species in grasslands, but prairie and savanna ecosystems would not be the same without them. Invertebrates provide a rich food source for larger animals like songbirds and mammals and break down plant and animal matter, recycling nutrients into the soil. Ants, termites, and others excavate burrows in the ground and aerate the soil. And winged invertebrates such as bees and butterflies act as pollinators for grassland wildflower species.

Grasshopper Life Cycle

ACTIVITIES

Throughout this chapter, you have explored the grand grassland biome from the temperate regions to the tropics. We’ve learned about the animals and plants native to prairies, savannas, and steppes and studied the importance of each. See the grasslands in a more tangible way as you complete these hands-on projects.