Grasslands

Gary B., Norm B., Marissa B.

Where is ecosystem located? North and South America

Africa and Asia

Europe and Australia

Everywhere but Antarctica

Describe the abiotic factors of your ecosystem Temperature is usually 75 degrees F

Soil is fertile

Grasslands receive from 25 to 39 inches of rain during the year

Producer: Grass . How does your producer rely on other organisms in the prairie/grasslands to survive? Earthworms, beetles, bacteria, and fungi

break down dead plants and animals-recycle nutrients

Wind spreads seeds – more grass grows Fires clear area of young or bushes that

could block sunlight from the grass

How do other organisms of your ecosystem rely on your producer to survive? Prairie Dogs, Kangaroo Rats, Ferrets, Skunks,

Bobcats, Pocket Mice, Burrowing Owls, American Badgers, and Gophers are some of the animals that need burrows for shelter

Grass provides food for Cattle, Bison, Elk, and insects

How do humans affect your ecosystem? Large parts of Grasslands get plowed for farms

People go on safaris to shoot lions and other large animals

Native Americans started and controlled fires for good nutrients

People collect grass seeds to replant grass

Choose one biotic or abiotic factor in your ecosystem & describe how a change in one of these could your ecosystem. Change: If you take away bull snakes

Rodents and birds would overpopulate

Worms would decrease

Decomposing would be slower

Other interesting facts:

Grasslands have very little trees and bushes

There are a lot of different types of grass

North American grasslands are called prairies

Sources Used

Stille, Darlene R. Stille, Darlene R. A True Book GrasslandsA True Book Grasslands. . New York, CT: Children's Press, 1999. Print. New York, CT: Children's Press, 1999. Print. 

Allaby, Michael. Allaby, Michael. Biomes Of The WorldBiomes Of The World. Danbury, CT: . Danbury, CT: Grolier Educational, 1999. Print.Grolier Educational, 1999. Print.

Patent, Dorothy H. Patent, Dorothy H. Life In a GrasslandLife In a Grassland. Minneapolis, MN: . Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications Company, 2003. Print.Lerner Publications Company, 2003. Print.