Temperate+Grasslands+(savannas)

=Temperate Grasslands (Savannas)=

Introduction:
The temperate grasslands (savannas) biome, which are located right above and below the equator region, are split up among the prairies of North America, the steppes of Eurasia, the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay in North America, and the veld region in South Africa. These grasslands are actually are made up of a rich, unique mix of grasses, and some of the world's richest soils. The grasses of this biome is what most distinguishes it from anything else. This biome is grass-dominant as the rich soil and environmental conditions allow for it, as even when there is little rain, it can withstand lack of water in hot weather or drought seasons. Trees and shrubs have it extremely difficult and thus are not nearly as abundant, but insignificant, in this biome since they need water to grow and keep nourished. This biome has hot summers but quite cold winters, and the evaporation rate is quite high in this environment. The temperate grasslands also gets its fair amount of rain, with 10-20inches of rain a year, but also go through periods of hot droughts. It has a moderate diversity of fauna in its environment, as the animals range from herbivores such as pronghorn and different species of deer, to carnivores such as wolverines and polecats. All of the fauna present in the biome have some sort of useful adaptation for hunting, sheltering themselves, or physical characteristics that help them concerning the climate. As for the flora found in this biome, grasses are the most dominant, with species ranging from buffalo grass to purple needlegrass. Trees have it quite difficult to be able to thrive in this environment, and its even more unlikely with occasional fires that break out in this grassland, considering that the grasses are more resistant to it. Some plants also have extensive roots which prevent them from eating away at them, and the flora that is present in this biome flourishes because of the good nutrients. Also, with human impact in the view, this biome's rich soil has made it wanted among people for its agriculture, and once the soil is used, the biome becomes dry and not as suitable anymore. The turning of grasslands into agricultural areas is dwindling the biome, and with it the fauna and flora present and unique to this biome, and it all lies in the decisions of mankind.The temperate grasslands is a unique and vast biome, with its environment and features, and its beauty can be conserved with a little more awareness by mankind.

(Jose) Geographic Regions and Abiotic Factors:
The temperate grasslands (savannas) are located, for instance, in the prairies of the Central Lowlands and the high plains of the U.S. and Canada. Specific examples of where it's located inside this region include the California grasslands, desert grasslands of the American Southwest, and the Palouse Prairie of Eastern Washington State. Another region of the world where there are temperate grasslands is also in Eurasia, which are the steppes from Ukraine east through Russia and Mongolia. They are also found in the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay in South America, and also in the veld in South Africa.

-(Map of the world where the temperate grasslands are located. As shown to the left, the most recognized ones are found in the high plains of U.S. and Canada in North America, the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay in South America, veld region in South Africa, and steppes of Eurasia including Lower Russia. This biome is located right above and below the equator area.)

Climate conditions in the temperate grasslands depends on the location's latitude, with semiarid climates in the middle latitudes receiving 10-20 inches of rain a year. Most of the rain season usually falls between the late spring and early summer. The amount of rainfall actually determines the height of grasses in the temperate grasslands, so the more rain, the taller the grasses. A lot of the the rainfall actually falls as snow, which has the useful function of serving as moisture for the start of the growing season. There is rainfall in these grasslands because of where this biome lies on the world, and it is located in rainy, wet areas where rainfall is common during late spring and early summertime. This is fortunate as the grasses and other vegetation also depend upon this rain for growth and nourishment.The summer season, which ranges from the summer months of June to September, in the temperate grasslands may range from warm to hot such as temperatures reaching well over 100 degrees farenheit, all depending on the latitude of the location. There are actually droughts, and these are fundamental for keeping trees from taking over the grasslands. The droughts are cuased from the warm-hot summer heat that the grasslands receive every year during the summer, and its wide range allows for the heat to hit the biome fairly direct. This is also why trees cannot fully thrive as well as grasses in this biome because, with rain being unpredictable and differeing among different seasons and years, trees cannot withstand the lack of water as well as grasses do. In this particular biome, the substrate is mainly composed of deep and dark soil, and the abundant grasses that fill up the temperate grassland biome. With the soil, its upper layers are the most fertile, and this organic matter on the surface of and on the roots of plants provide fantastic nourishment for the well-being of the biome's living plants. The grasslands are dominated by one, or only a few, species of grasses, such as buffalo grass or galleta, with different types of grass species proving dominant in their own specific region. Most of these grasses tend to grow quite tall, and serve as food for several grassland creatures. Each species of grass tends to grow better with differing rainfall/temperature/ and soil, and the grasses are dominant as well because of factors like droughts, since they can withstand lack of water, and grazing by large herbivores. -(Picture of a typical Temperate grassland region. This biome is heavily dominant by tall grasses and not so much other vegetation such as trees or shrubbery. Climate is diverse as this biome both experiences very hot summers and cold winters. Fauna diversity is fairly moderate in this grassy environment.)

(Pedro) Flora:
The flora found in the temperate grasslands consists of mainly different species of grass. For example their are buffalo grass, ryegrass, foxtail, wild oats, and purple needlegrass, which are all part of the animals diet, it survives based on the fact that is grows near the surface. Very few plantation besides these grasses grow here, for shrubs and trees can rarely be found. They usually are destroyed on the occasional wildfires that occur in this biome. As for prairie trees their thick bark protects them from these fires. The grass flora here have narrow leaves to hold more water in to not lose, and also have flexible stems to not break during windy times. Also their extensive roots prevents animals from eating away at the entire plant which can also bring moisture for the plant to have. Even though only grass flora grows here the soil is very richin nutrients, for of the dead grasses laying on top of the surface. These well adapted flora have created adaptions that match the perfect environment for them to grow in, and continue to flourish under this beautiful biome. -(Buffalo grass. This grass, sometimes quite taller, is one of the more common grasses found in the temperate grasslands. Several herbivores feed off of it.)

(Jose) Fauna:
The fauna in the temperate grasslands varies from region to region. For example, in North America, there are herbivores such as bison, pronghorn, and deer, and these animals tend to travel in search for vegetation. mostly grasses, which makes it very easy for them to survive, since a great majority of this biome is covered in grasses. In regions such as Lower Russia, the herbivores include the Asian camel and various species of horses and saiga antelope, and in Africa, they include the African Kudus and wildebeests. The herbivores are well adapted for the environment considering they have a nice fur coat to keep them warm for the cold season, but not so thick and warm that it will cause overheat during the summer season. They also have well adapted legs and paws for traveling through the grasslands, and solid, flat teeth well-adapted for chewing on grasses and other vegetation. In the temperate grasslands,there are also rodent herbivores such as the pocket gophers, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, several mice species, and gerbils. These are the smaller mammal herbivores, and they adapt to the grasslands well since theyre able to hide in the tall grasses considering they have smaller body structures. The rodent herbivores adapt well as they burrow in the ground in search for food such as roots, shelter, or even to escape from predators, so the burrowing comes in handy. They are also important because they are responsible for spreading seeds and turning soil over, which helps the grasses and other vegetation grow. These rodents also have flat teeth well adapted for eating grasses and other vegetation, and their environment certainly helps. There are also carnivores such as coyotes, badgers, black footed ferrets, and bears. which feed on

-(Picture of a grassland bison. These large, furry herbivores mainly depend upon a grass diet and travel in herds with other bison. They are well adapted for the cold winter season, but also not too covered up in fur that they suufer from heat build-up in the summer. Like most herbivores, they are the targets of the grasslands' carnivorous creatures.)

the different herbivores, but they continue to be hunted down by humans, for reasons such as that they threaten the domestic herbivores that belong to people. Polecats and other large weasel species roam the Lower Russian grasslands in particular, and these carnivores use their quick feet and agility to pounce and attack their prey. All of the grassland carnivores also have adaptations such as sharp teeth and sharp claws for killing their prey, such as the bear or coyote, and have exceptional ground speed. Most of these carnivores also have a warm coat of fur for environment protection, and have great environment awareness, which is knowing where certain species of prey like to gather or when it may be in danger. Other carnivores, such as the wolverine or corsac fox, travel around in hunting packs all season, and follow their family wherever they go, and its an adaptation that serves them well for protection, although feeding the whole pack may require additional hunting. There are other animals that inhabit the grasslands of the world, such as edentates which include several species of armidillos, insect species, which actually help enrich the soil of the grasslands, amphibians, and many different bird species which roam the biome's skies. The biome has many unique type of animals, and its only part of what makes the grasslands function and be the more interesting. -( Picture of a coyote. This carnivorous predator has swift legs for running and a great sense of direction for following its intended path in search of prey. Coyotes also have sharp teeth and claws to help them in their hunting. These animals also travel in packs, and this serves to be a great adaptation, especially with all the larger carnivorous animals, such as the bear, that might pose a threat to it. It can be quite territorial at times as well.)

(Pedro) Human impact:
Even though few species of plants grow in this biome, its rich soil has made this a must for agriculture. Therefore it brings the destruction of this precious biome, for after the soil has been used, it becomes dry, and nearly impossible to regrow naturally. As our population grows the need for food becomes greater, which brings less of the original landscaping of earth to almost a lifeless environment, where few animals can survive. As more of the temperate grasslands are disappear because of unnatural causes more unwanted biomes are created, like for example desert biomes bring almost nothing useful for the earth, and the organisms living too. To resolve this issue, their should be a limit on the amount of acres being allowed to be turned into agricultural lands, for this biome to grow, and be able to be seen in the future also. As well as regrowing some of the natural vegetation after the agricultural season is over. With this the future of the temperate grasslands will be here for decades to come.-(Grazed grasslands for Agriculture picture. Considering the great soil that these grasslands have, humans graze these lands for their benefits and thus hurt the grassland biome, along with the flora and fauna that live there.)