Science Lesson Plan on the Grassland Biome

In this science lesson, students will learn about the climate of temperate and tropical grasslands, locations of the world's major grasslands, and plants and animals that are adapted to live in grasslands.

Objectives:

* Students will know the definition of grassland
* Students will be able to list the types of grasslands in different parts of the world
* Students will be able to name several types of animals that live in grasslands

Show students a world map and point out the locations of the different types of grasslands as you teach about each one.

Grasslands are vast regions of rolling terrain with vegetation mainly consisting of perennial grasses and flowers, shrubs, and some trees growing along the banks of rivers or in areas with water sources such as springs. Grasslands cover about 25% of Earth's land surface, and are located on all continents with the exception of Antarctica.

Temperate Grasslands

Temperate grasslands are generally located in the middle of continents or in rain shadows. They have warm summers and very cold winters, and receive a moderate amount of rain, about 10-30 inches per year. They have different names depending on where they are located, but all temperate grasslands have similar characteristics.

* Prairies in North America
* Steppes in Eurasia
* Pampas in South America
* Veld (or veldt) in Southern Africa

Animals that live in temperate grasslands include small herbivores and omnivores such as mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, skunks and badgers, and larger herbivores such as bison. Predators living in the temperate grasslands include wolves, coyotes, and foxes. Many kinds of birds and insects also make their home there.

Tropical Grasslands

Tropical grasslands, known as savannas, are located near the equator in South America, Africa India and Australia. They have a wet season in the summer that lasts for 6-8 months, and a dry season for 4-6 months in the winter. Winter temperatures are warmer than in the temperate grasslands.

Fire is a natural part of the tropical grassland ecosystem. Fires are often started by lightning during the dry season; they sweep across the plains and burn off all the grass, which grows back as soon as the rainy season begins. Large animals can usually escape the fire by running away, and smaller burrowing animals find safety underground.

Large herbivores such as antelopes, gazelles, giraffes, hippos, elephants and zebras, and predators including lions, cheetahs and leopards live in the savanna. Other animals living in the savanna include hyenas, lizards, snakes, frogs, bats, and many species of birds.

Review Questions

1. List the 5 different types of grasslands and where they are located.
2. What is the typical grassland climate?
3. How is the temperate grassland climate different than the tropical grassland climate?
4. What type of plants mainly grow in grasslands?
5. List 5 herbivores and 5 predators (carnivores) that live in grasslands.

Sources

Woodward, Susan L. Biomes of Earth. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2003.

http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_grassland.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/grasslands.php
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/grasslnd/index.htm
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm