Grassland

Grassland, area in which the vegetation is dominated by a nearly continuous cover of Grasses. Grasslands occur in environments conducive to the Growth of this plant cover but not to that of taller Plants, particularly trees and shrubs. The factors preventing establishment of such taller, woody vegetation are varied.

Grasslands are one of the most widespread of all the major vegetation types of the world. This is so, however, only because human manipulation of the land has significantly altered the natural vegetation, creating artificial grasslands of cereal crops, pastures, and other areas that require some form of repetitious, unnatural disturbance such as cultivation, heavy grazing, burning, or mowing to persist.

The most extensive natural grasslands can be thought of as intermediates in an environmental gradient, with forests at one end and deserts at the other. Forests occupy the most favourable environments, where moisture is adequate for growth and survival of a tall, dense vegetation dominated by trees. Deserts are found where moisture is so lacking that a continuous, permanent vegetation cover cannot be maintained. Grasslands lie between these two extremes.

Like the savannas, deserts, and scrublands into which they commonly blend, grasslands arose during the period of cooling and drying of the global Climate, which occurred during the Cenozoic Era (65.5 million years ago to the present). Indeed, the grass family itself (Poaceae or Gramineae) evolved only early in this era. The date of earliest appearance of grasslands varies from region to region. In several regions a SUCCESSION of vegetation types can be recognized in the Cenozoic fossil record, as climate dried out progressively. For example, in central Australia during the past 50 million years tropical rainforest gave way successively to savanna, grassland, and, finally, desert. In some places expansion of grasslands to something approaching their modern extent occurred only during the extremely cold, dry intervals—called ice ages in north temperate regions—of the past two million years.

A dynamic balance commonly exists between grasslands and related vegetation types. Droughts, fires, or episodes of heavy grazing favour grassland at some times, and wet seasons and an absence of significant disturbances favour woody vegetation at others. Changes in the severity or frequency of these factors can cause a change from one vegetation type to another.

Grassland Environment

Grassland climates are varied, but all large regions of natural grassland are generally hot, at least in summer, and dry, though not to the extent that deserts are. In general, tropical grasslands receive 500 to 1,500 millimetres of rain in an Average year and in every season experience temperatures of about 15 to 35 °C. The dry season may last as long as eight months. An excess of rainfall over Evaporation, leading to ephemeral river flow, occurs only during the wet season. The tropical grassland climate overlaps very broadly with that of savanna. As previously stated, these vegetation types differ little from each other, a savanna being merely a grassland with scattered trees. Small changes in management and usage can convert one to the other.

Temperate grasslands are somewhat drier than tropical grasslands and also colder, at least for part of the year. Seasonal temperature variation may be slight in tropical grasslands but may vary by as much as 40 °C in temperate grassland areas. Mean annual rainfall in the North American grassland areas is 300 to 600 millimetres. Mean temperatures in January range from −18 °C in the north to 10 °C in the south, with corresponding values in July being 18 °C and 28 °C. Mean annual temperature in the most northerly areas of the North American grassland zone is below 0 °C.

Occurring as they do across a wide range of climatic and geologic conditions, grasslands are associated with many different types of Soil. The grassland ecosystem itself influences soil formation, and this causes grassland soils to differ from other soils. The nature of grass litter and its pattern of decomposition commonly result in the development of a dark, organically rich upper soil layer that can reach 300 millimetres below the surface. This layer is absent from desert soils and is different from the surface layer of rotting leaf litter typical of forest soils. It is friable in structure and rich in plant nutrients. Lower soil layers are typically pale and yellowish, especially at depths close to two metres.

Because of its importance for grazing and other grassland agricultural production, grassland productivity has been extensively investigated using various methods. However, most studies have focused only on aboveground productivity, ignoring the important subterranean component, which can be much more substantial—as much as 10 times greater—even when the aboveground portion is at a seasonal maximum. Typical aboveground Biomass/”>Biomass (dry weight of organic matter in an area) values for North American grasslands are 2.5 to 6 metric tons per hectare, of which about three-quarters is in the form of dead shoot material; however, values up to and greater than 20 metric tons per hectare have been recorded in some tropical grasslands.

There is a relatively rapid turnover of plant matter in grasslands. Most plant organs have a life span of only one or a few seasons, leading to annual rates of overall turnover of about 20 to 50 percent. When consumption of plant parts by consumers is taken into account, annual productivity values are similar to biomass values. Aboveground annual productivity in a typical Canadian grassland was found to be 6.4 metric tons per hectare when all leaching and decomposition losses from dead shoots were taken into consideration. Values found in other grasslands have varied greatly but often have been significantly lower than this, partly because such losses have not been fully taken into account. Repeated harvesting (surrogate grazing) commonly yields 1.5 to 2.5 metric tons per hectare per year.

Grasslands are a type of biome that is characterized by its predominance of grasses. Grasslands are found in many parts of the world, including North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Grasslands are important Ecosystems that provide a home for many different plants and animals.

Grassland ECOLOGY is the study of the interactions between plants, animals, and the environment in grasslands. Grasslands are home to a wide variety of plants, including grasses, forbs, and shrubs. The animals that live in grasslands include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. The environment of grasslands includes the soil, water, and climate.

Grassland plants are adapted to the dry climate and low nutrient levels of grasslands. Grasses have long roots that help them to reach water deep in the soil. Forbs have deep roots and broad leaves that help them to collect water and nutrients from the soil. Shrubs have thick bark and small leaves that help them to conserve water.

Grassland animals are adapted to the dry climate and low nutrient levels of grasslands. Herbivores, such as bison, eat grasses and other plants. Carnivores, such as wolves, eat herbivores. Omnivores, such as coyotes, eat both plants and animals.

Grassland conservation is the practice of protecting grasslands from destruction. Grasslands are threatened by a number of factors, including development, agriculture, and Climate Change. Development can destroy grasslands by converting them into roads, buildings, and other Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE. Agriculture can destroy grasslands by converting them into cropland or pasture. Climate change can destroy grasslands by making them too dry or too wet.

Grassland management is the practice of using grasslands in a sustainable way. Grasslands can be managed for a variety of purposes, including grazing, recreation, and conservation. Grazing is the practice of allowing Livestock to graze on grasslands. Recreation includes activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. Conservation includes protecting grasslands from destruction.

Grassland agriculture is the practice of farming in grasslands. Grasslands can be used to grow a variety of crops, including wheat, corn, and soybeans. Grasslands can also be used to raise livestock, such as cattle and sheep.

Grassland fire is a natural part of the grassland ecosystem. Fire helps to control the growth of trees and shrubs, and it also helps to recycle nutrients in the soil. However, too much fire can damage grasslands and make them less productive.

Grassland climate change is the change in the climate of grasslands. Climate change is caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels. Climate change is causing grasslands to become warmer and drier. This is causing grasslands to change in a number of ways, including the loss of some plant and animal species, the invasion of new species, and the spread of invasive plants.

Grasslands are important ecosystems that provide a home for many different plants and animals. Grasslands are also important for agriculture and recreation. However, grasslands are threatened by a number of factors, including development, agriculture, and climate change. It is important to conserve grasslands and manage them in a sustainable way.

Forest

What is a forest?
A forest is a large area of land covered mostly by trees and other plants.
What are the different types of forests?
There are many different types of forests, but some of the most common include tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and boreal forests.
What are the benefits of forests?
Forests provide many benefits, including clean air and water, habitat for wildlife, and recreation opportunities.
What are the threats to forests?
Forests are threatened by deforestation, climate change, and invasive species.
What can we do to protect forests?
We can protect forests by planting trees, reducing our consumption of wood products, and supporting sustainable Forestry practices.

Desert

What is a desert?
A desert is a dry, barren area with little vegetation.
What are the different types of deserts?
There are many different types of deserts, but some of the most common include hot deserts, cold deserts, and coastal deserts.
What are the benefits of deserts?
Deserts provide many benefits, including clean air and water, habitat for wildlife, and recreation opportunities.
What are the threats to deserts?
Deserts are threatened by climate change, overgrazing, and mining.
What can we do to protect deserts?
We can protect deserts by reducing our consumption of water, supporting Sustainable Agriculture, and conserving wildlife habitat.

Mountain

What is a mountain?
A mountain is a large Landform that rises sharply above the surrounding land.
What are the different types of Mountains?
There are many different types of mountains, but some of the most common include volcanic mountains, Fold Mountains, and Block Mountains.
What are the benefits of mountains?
Mountains provide many benefits, including clean air and water, habitat for wildlife, and recreation opportunities.
What are the threats to mountains?
Mountains are threatened by climate change, deforestation, and overgrazing.
What can we do to protect mountains?
We can protect mountains by reducing our consumption of Resources, supporting Sustainable Development, and conserving wildlife habitat.

Ocean

What is an ocean?
An ocean is a large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth’s surface.
What are the different types of Oceans?
There are four main oceans: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean.
What are the benefits of oceans?
Oceans provide many benefits, including food, water, and Oxygen. They also regulate the Earth’s climate and provide habitat for a wide variety of marine life.
What are the threats to oceans?
Oceans are threatened by climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
What can we do to protect oceans?
We can protect oceans by reducing our consumption of resources, supporting sustainable fishing practices, and conserving marine life.

Which of the following is not a type of grassland?
(A) Savanna
(B) Tundra
(C) Prairie
(D) Desert
Grasslands are found in which of the following climate zones?
(A) Tropical
(B) Temperate
(C) Arctic
(D) All of the above
Grasslands are home to which of the following animals?
(A) Bison
(B) Giraffe
(C) Elephant
(D) All of the above
Grasslands are important because they provide food and habitat for many animals. They also help to regulate the climate and prevent soil erosion.
Grasslands are threatened by human activities such as agriculture, development, and climate change.
We can protect grasslands by conserving them, restoring them, and managing them sustainably.
One way to conserve grasslands is to create Protected Areas where they can grow and thrive without being disturbed by humans.
Another way to conserve grasslands is to restore them to their original condition. This can be done by planting native grasses and other plants, and by removing invasive species.
We can also manage grasslands sustainably by grazing livestock at a level that does not damage the plants. We can also avoid using pesticides and herbicides, which can harm the plants and animals that live in grasslands.
By taking these steps, we can help to protect grasslands for future generations.