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Grasslands and Savannah
General Characteristics
 A grassland is a wide area, covered in a native
grass.
 There are many different kinds of grasslands
around the world, each with different kinds of
plants and animals living in each one.
 Grasslands may be flat or have rolling hills. There
may be some scattered trees.
 Generally have low animal diversity compared to
other regions.
Grassland Climate
 Precipitation: 20-35 inches
 Average temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees
Celsius
 Latitude is around 23 N
 There are two real seasons: a growing season and a
dormant season. Very little fall or spring time
temperatures.
Savannah Climate
 Precipitation: 10-30 inches
 Average temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees
Celsius
 Latitude is around 15 N
 There are two real seasons: a growing season and a
dormant season. Very little fall or spring time
temperatures.
The Prairie, a North
American grassland
 Much of the middle of North America is the prairie.
It is a type of grassland where tall grass and
wildflowers grow, but few trees because there is not
enough rain.

The Prairie, a North
American grassland
 Flora and Fauna found on a North American
Prairie:
The Savanna, an African
grassland
 Scenes of the Savanna
The Pampas, grasslands of
South America
 The Pampas is a grassland. There is very little
rainfall and cool winds that keep it dried out. There
are few trees, but mild temperatures.
Flora
 Includes many species of grasses such as purple
needlegrass, wild oats, foxtail, ryegrass, and buffalo
grass.
 Also several flowering plants like asters, blazing
stars, goldenrods, sunflowers, clovers, and wild
indigos
Flora Adaptations
 Many have narrow leaves
 Many can survive months and years with very little
rain.
 Many of these plants have two root systems, one
that fans out near the surface and another that goes
much further down and spreads very little.
 Underground stems and buds, grasses are not easily
destroyed by fire
Fauna
 Includes (which do not all occur in the same
temperate grassland) gazelles, zebras, rhinoceroses,
wild horses, lions, wolves, prairie dogs, jack rabbits,
deer, mice, coyotes, foxes, skunks, badgers,
blackbirds, grouses, meadowlarks, quails, sparrows,
hawks, owls, snakes, grasshoppers, leafhoppers,
and spiders
Fauna Adaptations
 Many prairie animals have front legs and paws that
allow them to burrow into the ground.
 Many are adapted for nocturnal life
 Long legs to help capture prey and get away from
predators. Minimal cover makes it harder to hide
from predators.
 Many species in this region are able to walk and run
within minutes of being born.
Dangers Facing Grasslands
 Over farming of soil, draining nutrients.
 Too much irrigation bringing too many salts to
region
 Dryness contributes to fires, which can temporarily
destroy a grassland, however, given enough time,
the roots of the plants run very deep, so it doesn’t
stay barren for long.
 Montage
 How Nature Works: Grassland