Lesson 41 Terrestrial Ecosystem: Temperate Grasslands

1. Lesson 41Terrestrial Ecosystem:Temperate Grasslands

2. In our last lesson we learned about the terrestrial ecosystem called the Tropical Rainforest.

3. We learned how plants adapted to this rainy area.

4. We learned that most of the animals, insects and birds can be found in the canopy of the tropical rainforest where food is abundant.

5. We learned about the primary producers (plants), the consumers(insects, birds, reptiles and animals) and the food chains which occur in the tropical rainforest.

6. We learned that the sun is the most important ingredient in a food chain. It supplies the energy for the plants. The sun is needed for plants and animals to survive.

7. We learned that the decomposers consist of fungi and earthworms. The decomposers work to put nutrients back into the soil to help producers grow.

8. Today we will learn about the terrestrial ecosystem called the temperate grasslands.

9. Temperate grasslands are located in North America, South America, Asia and Australia.

10. The Temperate Grasslands of North America are known as Prairies.

11. Temperate grasslands are grasslands with some of the Earth’s best soil.

12. The Temperate Grasslands have only 10 -20 inches of precipitation a year.

13. During the summers, the temperature can reach 100 degrees. In the winter, the temperature can reach -40 degrees.

14. The plants and the animals of the Grasslands can sustain themselves on small amounts of water. They have adapted to the dry and windy conditions of the Grasslands.

15. These grasslands are flat, open plains that are primarily in the drier areas of a continent.

16. The grasslands have two seasons, dormant or growing. Dormant means that the plant does not flower or grow because of the cold.

17. Since trees and brush are scarce and there are no mountains, high winds are common.

18. The high winds can carry large storm fronts over the prairie, producing severe storms.

19. These storms can produce hail, lightning, damaging winds and tornadoes.

20. Some of the Primary Consumers of the Temperate Grasslands are the Bison, The Greater Prairie Chicken and the Prairie Dog.

21. Grasshoppers and other insects are also primary consumers.

22. Fox Snakes are a secondary consumer. They eat insects and rodents who live off the plants of the grasslands.

23. The tertiary consumers of the Temperate Grasslands are the Coyote, The Golden Eagle and Red Fox.

25. The Prairie Dogs also live on the Temperate Grasslands. They live on the grass and root systems of the grass. They also eat insects.

26. Prairie Dogs adapt to life on the Temperate Grasslands by creating an elaborate system of burrows under the ground. They only come up in the daylight to eat the grasses on top of the ground.

27. The Prairie Dogs give warning cries to signal predators like coyotes.

28. The Red Fox (who we saw in the Deciduous Forest environment) also is found on the Temperate Grasslands.

29. Red Foxes feed on anything they can catch, such as birds, snakes, rodents and insects.

30. The red fox adapts by growing a thick bushy tail which keeps him warm.

31. The Bison are herbivores and live on the grass of the grasslands. Humans are Bison’s biggest threat.

32. Bison adapt to the cold winters of the Prairies by growing thicker winter coats.

33. Bison also adapt to life on the Grasslands through their keen sense of smell, good hearing and their ability to run fast. They can run as fast as 40 miles per hour.

34. Plant life includes Big Blue Stem Grass, Prairie Dropseed, Buffalo Grass and Side Oats Gamma.

35. These grasses adapt well to the Temperate Grasslands because they grow long roots. This prevents animals who are grazing from completely removing the roots.

36. These grasses have narrow leaves that decrease water loss.

37. The Prairie Sunflower also grows well on the Temperate Grasslands. It flowers in the summer and the fall and can grow 6 ½ feet tall.

38. Daisies are also found on the Temperate Grasslands. There are over 20,000 different species of daisies. They are very disease resistant.

39. There are so few trees on the grasslands because there is not enough water for them to flourish. The grasses also have tight root systems preventing tree seedlings from establishing.

40. Grassland fires are common. The fires kill the trees but the grasses survive due to their strong root system.

41. Farming and livestock have taken much of the Temperate Grasslands, because the grasslands have rich soil and positive environmental conditions.

42. The Mexican Prairie Dog is now endangered because of humans. The Prairie Dogs’ environment has been hurt by the plowing of the land.

43. It has been illegal to kill the Mexican Prairie Dog since 1970. Unfortunately, there is not a national park or reserve that can protect the Prairie Dogs.

44. In the United States the Temperate Grasslands used to cover 40% of the country. Now they only cover 1% of the country.

45. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2OgvwEKXx4 Let’s watch this video about the Temperate Grasslands.

46. Let’s review what we have learned about the Temperate Grasslands. Answer the attached questions on the worksheet entitled L#41 Temperate Grasslands.

47. In our next lesson we will learn about the Aquatic Lakes.

48. Good Job Today! And remember to….

49. See you next time!