Transcript Prairie/Grasslands - Torrington Public Schools

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. A True Book Grasslands. New York,
CT: Children's Press, 1999. Print.

Allaby, Michael. Biomes Of The World. Danbury, CT:
Grolier Educational, 1999. Print.

Patent, Dorothy H. Life In a Grassland. Minneapolis, MN:
Lerner Publications Company, 2003. Print.