Grassland Ecosystem Facts & Worksheets

A grassland is a biome composed mainly of grasses. Found on all continents except Antarctica, grasslands are large, open areas with different types of grasses. Occasionally there are wildflowers, shrubbery, and trees growing in grasslands. Animals that thrive in grasslands are mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects.

See the fact file below for more information on the Grassland Ecosystem, or you can download our 31-page Grassland Ecosystem worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

• The appearance of grasslands can be traced back to the Cenozoic Era, which marked the global climate’s cooling and drying period approximately 65.5 million years ago.
• It was in the Cenozoic Era when the Poaceae (or Gramineae) grass family evolved.

DIFFERENT NAMES

• Grasslands are identified by different names, depending on the region or continent.
• They are commonly known as prairies in North America, while they are called pampas in South America.
• In Africa, tropical grasslands that experience seasonal rainfall are called savannas.
• These areas are called rangelands in Australia.
• In southeastern Europe and Asia, unforested grasslands are known as steppes. 
• Grasslands are known as tundras in the Northern Hemisphere; desert grasslands in the Southern Hemisphere, montane grasslands in mountainous areas; and flooded grasslands in flooded locations. Grasslands are not found in Antarctica.

CLIMATE

• The climate of grasslands varies depending on the region, but in general, it is hot and dry, especially in the summer.
• However, it is important to note that the climate of deserts is hotter and drier than that of grasslands.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, grasslands can have an ultra-cool temperature of up to -20 °C (-4 °F).
• In the Southern hemisphere, they can face heat that rises to 30 °C (86 °F).

FACTORS THAT MAINTAIN GRASSLANDS

• The climate of grasslands is conducive to the growth of grasses.
• Low rainfall or precipitation could not sustain a forest of trees, but it is enough to sustain grasses.
• Aside from low precipitation, frequent wildland fires and animal grazing also contribute to nourishing and maintaining grasslands.
• After a fire, grasses grow back quickly and are healthier and thicker.
• Animals in grasslands also adapt to fires by fleeing or taking shelter underground.

TROPICAL GRASSLANDS

• There are two general types of grasslands: tropical and temperate.
• Tropical grasslands are hot and dry savannas that are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa and northern Australia.
• These regions are near the equator and have a mainly warm climate with both rainy and dry seasons.
• Rainfall is higher in tropical grasslands than in temperate grasslands, especially during the wet season.
• The annual rainfall in tropical grasslands ranges from 50.8 to 127 centimeters (20 to 50 inches).
• Savannas can also be found in Asia and South America.
• There are grasses and trees in tropical grasslands; however, trees here are more sparse because their growth is inhibited by extended dry periods when rainfall is low.
• The soil is often reddish and not very fertile in tropical grasslands.

TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS

• Temperate grasslands are mainly located in North America, Eastern Europe, Argentina, and parts of China and Australia. 
• Unlike tropical grasslands, the temperature in temperate grasslands varies significantly because of their distinct hot and cold seasons.
• Those in the Northern Hemisphere experience snowfall as precipitation.
• Temperate grasslands also have more fertile soil, which is why most of these areas in the United States have been converted for agricultural and grazing purposes.

ANIMAL DIVERSITY

• Grasslands have fascinating biodiversity; depending on the region, many species thrive in grasslands.
• All types of grasslands commonly have rodents, such as mice, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and meerkats, which are preyed on by snakes and raptor birds like eagles, hawks, and owls. 
• Birds (meadowlarks, sparrows, mountain plovers, and larks) and grazing animals (deer, zebras, and antelopes) are also typically found in all grasslands.
• Larger mammals, including bison, gazelles, blue wildebeests, and giant anteaters also thrive in these environments.
• The American bison once dominated prairies in the United States, but in the 19th century, there became a high demand for their meat and hides, and their population in prairies has since declined.
• Lions, coyotes, hyenas, cheetahs, foxes, wolves, and weasels are some predators that inhabit grasslands.
• In Africa, lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes are common, while antelopes, coyotes, rattlesnakes, and rabbits are animals usually seen in the grasslands in the United States.
• Reptiles also deem grasslands an ideal habitat as there are no tall trees and bushes for their prey to hide behind.
• Some of the reptiles living in grasslands are the Nile crocodile, the black mamba, and the leopard tortoise, among others.

VEGETATION

• A grassland ecosystem consists of plants, such as grasses, herbs, wildflowers, shrubs, and more non-woody vegetation.
• Because grasslands have a drier environment than forests, the plant species have adapted to the lack of water or frequent precipitation.
• The height of plants depends on the amount of rainfall in that area.
• In northern areas that experience dry summers and cool winters, the soil is rich and the grasses are commonly short, measuring around 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters).
• Meanwhile, in southern regions, the grasses can grow up to seven feet (2.1 meters) tall.
• The grasses covering temperate grasslands are typically perennial grasses, purple needle grass, blue grama, and buffalo grass.
• Temperate grasslands also contain flowering plants, such as sunflowers, milkweed, wild indigos, yarrow, coneflowers, goldenrods, and clovers, as well as cacti and sagebrush.
• In tropical grasslands, red oats grass, Rhodes grass, Bermuda grass, lemongrass, elephant grass, blue fescue, and feather grass are more common.
• In African savannas, the baobab tree and the Senegal gum acacia can also be found.

ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Grasslands are a rich source of food, fuel, and natural resources.
• On a large scale, grasslands also play a huge role in bolstering biodiversity, as well as contributing to the global carbon cycle.

HUMAN IMPACT

• Agricultural purposes and urbanization pose a threat to grasslands.
• Many North American prairies have already been converted to farmlands and pasture locations.
• Consequently, grassland animals lose their habitat and are in the risky position of becoming extinct.
• Illegal hunting, the way elephants are hunted in African savannas, also leads to danger in the grassland ecosystem.
• The role of large animals, such as elephants, is to crush trees that could overtake the grass.

Grassland Ecosystem Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Grassland Ecosystem across 31 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Grassland Ecosystems. A grassland is a biome composed mainly of grasses. Found on all continents except Antarctica.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Grassland Ecosystem Facts
2. Vocabulary Review
3. Grassland Q&A
4. Main Features
5. Spot the Grassland Animals
6. Grassland Crossword
7. Grassland or Not?
8. Name Search
9. The Two Types
10. Vegetation Classification
11. Knowledge Recap

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a grassland ecosystem?

A grassland ecosystem is an area of land dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants, rather than trees or shrubs. Grasslands can be found on every continent except Antarctica and can range from dry savannas to temperate prairies to wetlands.

What types of animals can be found in grassland ecosystems?

Grasslands are home to a diverse array of animals, including large herbivores like bison and antelope, as well as predators like lions, wolves, and coyotes. Birds like hawks and eagles are also common in grasslands, as are small mammals like rabbits, prairie dogs, and voles.

How do grassland ecosystems benefit humans?

Grassland ecosystems are important for a number of reasons. They are used for grazing by livestock, which provides meat and dairy products for human consumption. They also play a role in carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Additionally, grasslands can provide recreational opportunities like hiking and bird-watching.

What are some threats to grassland ecosystems?

Grassland ecosystems are under threat from a number of factors, including agricultural development, urbanization, and climate change. Overgrazing by livestock and the suppression of natural fires are also major threats to grasslands. When grasslands are destroyed or altered, the animals and plants that depend on them can suffer.

What can be done to conserve grassland ecosystems?

Conservation efforts for grassland ecosystems can include creating protected areas where land is set aside for conservation purposes, such as national parks or nature reserves. Management practices like controlled burns and rotational grazing can also help to maintain grassland health. Additionally, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change can help to protect grassland ecosystems.

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