Download GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM

GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
WHAT IS A GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM?
• A grassland ecosystem consists of plant communities comprised
mostly of herbaceous (non-woody) plants.
• Woody plants, shrubs or trees may occur on some grasslands.
• These open, sunny areas consists of warm season grasses and
native wildflowers.
plains Coreopsis
purpletop
little bluestem
common milkweed
• Warm season grasses tend to grow in poor, well-drained soils.
• Once established, warm season grasses are drought tolerant and
almost completely disease free.
• Little bluestem, purpletop, Virginia wildrye, plains Coreopsis and
common milkweed are a few plant examples to be seen.
CGNA uplands grassland
GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
BENEFITS:
TYPES OF GRASSLAND:
• Lowland Grasslands are found in sub-tropic and tropic regions where they are flooded
• Native grasslands attract an abundance of wildlife.
• Native grasslands provide critical habitat for a
diversity of mammals and birds, such as the northern
harrier which is a Pennsylvania threatened species.
seasonally or year round.
• Temperate Grasslands are found in North America where the temperatures do not reach
• The expansive upland grasslands at the Chestnut
Grove Natural Area (CGNA) make this location ideal
for observing bird species that are not commonly
seen in other areas in Lancaster County. Bobolinks,
eastern meadowlarks and grasshopper sparrows are
few examples birds to look for in these uplands.
extreme conditions.
grasshopper sparrow
• Desert Grasslands are found in areas of extreme heat and drought for long periods of time.
snow geese
bobolink
• The Lower Susquehanna watershed supports some
of the largest populations of migratory birds. The
proximity of this grassland to the Susquehanna River
and the ponds throughout the CGNA make this an
ideal habitat for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.
Eastern cottontail
everglades grasslands
Northern harrier
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Natural Resources Conservation Service: www.nrcs.usda.gov
temperate grasslands
desert grasslands