Biome

Grassland

Grassland, Savanna and Shrubland Biomes

A biome of open, grass-dominated terrain that receives too little rain to sustain a closed forest canopy but too much to become desert, shaped as much by fire and grazing pressure as by climate. Tropical grasslands, commonly called savanna, carry scattered drought-resistant trees and a sharply divided wet and dry season, best known through Africa's Serengeti; temperate grasslands, called prairie in North America, steppe in Eurasia and pampas in South America, carry few or no trees and a deep, fertile topsoil built up by centuries of grass root turnover, which has made many of the world's temperate grasslands into its most productive farmland.

Facts

Climate

Annual Precipitation (mm)

650 1

Cited range runs 10 to 30 inches (roughly 250 to 760mm) a year for prairie-type temperate grassland; 650mm sits within it, not a single measured site.

Typical Low Temperature (C)

-7 1

The cited January MEAN of about -7C (20F) is used directly here; individual cold snaps run considerably lower.

Typical High Temperature (C)

30 1

The cited July MEAN is about 21C; 30C here represents a typical hot summer day rather than the monthly mean, since prairie summer highs commonly exceed the mean by a wide margin.

Grassland

1 entry

Common Group

Taxonomy

Conservation Status

Ecosystem

Everyday Group

Diet

System (Realm)

Living or Extinct

Where It Lives

Rocky Mountain Juniper

Grassland

Connections

Demonstrates

Derecho

Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Downburst

Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Hailstorm

Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Tornado

Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Wildfire

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica

Home To

African Buffalo

Source African Buffalo (Wikipedia)

African Bush Elephant

Source African Bush Elephant (Wikipedia)

African Elephant

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica

African Wildcat

Source Wikipedia: African wildcat

Agrostis gigantea

Source Agrostis gigantea (Wikipedia)

American Bison

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica

Argentine Horned Frog

Source Wikipedia: Argentine Horned Frog

Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)

Source Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) (Wikipedia)

Ball Python

Source Ball python, Wikipedia

Banded mongoose

Source Banded mongoose (Wikipedia)

Black-footed Cat

Source Wikipedia: Black-footed cat

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Source Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Wikipedia)

Black-winged kite

Source Black-winged kite (Wikidata)

Blunt-headed Salamander

Source Wikipedia: Blunt-headed salamander

Burrowing Owl

Source Burrowing owl - Wikipedia

Chinese Mountain Cat

Source Wikipedia: Chinese mountain cat

Common Starling

Source Wikidata: Common Starling

Common Warthog

Source Common Warthog (Wikipedia)

Corn crake

Source Corn crake (Wikipedia)

Eastern Spotted Skunk

Source Eastern Spotted Skunk (Wikidata)

Eurasian Steppe

Source World Wildlife Fund

Gelada

Source Gelada (Wikidata)

Great Plains

Source Great Plains (Wikipedia)

Groundhog

Source Groundhog (Wikipedia)

Hen harrier

Source Hen harrier (Wikidata)

Honey Bee

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica

House Sparrow

Source Wikipedia: House Sparrow

Joshua Tree

Source Wikipedia: Yucca brevifolia

Leopard Gecko

Source Leopard Gecko (Wikipedia)

Leopard Tortoise

Source Wikipedia: Leopard tortoise

Lion

Source Lion (Wikipedia)

Maned Wolf

Source Maned Wolf (Wikipedia)

Mascarene swiftlet

Source Mascarene swiftlet (Wikidata)

Mongolian Steppe

Source Mongolian-Manchurian Grassland (Wikipedia)

Nine-banded Armadillo

Source Nine-banded Armadillo (Wikipedia)

Northern Bald Ibis

Source Wikipedia: Northern bald ibis

Pampas

Source World Wildlife Fund

Pampas Cat

Source Wikipedia: Pampas cat

Patagonian Steppe

Source Patagonian Desert (Wikipedia)

Philippine Pangolin

Source Wikipedia: Philippine Pangolin

Plains Zebra

Source Plains Zebra (Wikipedia)

Puff Adder

Source Puff adder (Wikidata)

Red Imported Fire Ant

Source Red imported fire ant - Wikipedia

Red-tailed Hawk

Source Red-tailed Hawk (Wikipedia)

Rocky Mountain Juniper

Source Rocky Mountain Juniper (Wikidata)

Secretarybird

Source Secretarybird (Wikipedia)

Serval

Source Serval (Wikipedia)

Short-eared owl

Source Short-eared owl (Wikidata)

Sorrel

Source Sorrel (Wikipedia)

Tamandua

Source Wikipedia: Tamandua

Turkey Vulture

Source Turkey Vulture (Wikipedia)

White Button Mushroom

Source Agaricus bisporus - Wikipedia

White-tailed Deer

Source White-tailed Deer (Wikipedia)

Wood Turtle

Source Wikipedia: Wood turtle

Zygaena Fausta

Source Wikipedia: Zygaena fausta

Sources

1. Grasslands Climate (Blue Planet Biomes)

Blue Planet Biomes

Grasslands Climate - Precipitation
Annual precipitation is 10-30 inches.
Grasslands Climate - Temperature
The mean temperatures for the prairie in January is 20 F, and 70 F in July.

View the Source

Encyclopaedia Britannica

Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

britannica.com/science/grassland, opening definition paragraph
grassland, area in which the vegetation is dominated by a nearly continuous cover of grasses. Grasslands occur in environments conducive to the growth of this plant cover but not to that of taller plants, particularly trees and shrubs.
Home To: African Elephant
Home To: Honey Bee
Home To: American Bison
Demonstrates: Wildfire

View the Source

Patagonian Desert (Wikipedia)

WikipediaHome To: Patagonian Steppe, lead sectionView the Source

Mongolian-Manchurian Grassland (Wikipedia)

WikipediaHome To: Mongolian Steppe, lead sectionView the Source

Great Plains (Wikipedia)

WikipediaHome To: Great Plains, lead sectionView the Source

World Wildlife Fund

Home To: Eurasian Steppe
Home To: Pampas

View the Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Demonstrates: Tornado
Demonstrates: Derecho
Demonstrates: Hailstorm
Demonstrates: Downburst

View the Source

African Buffalo (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: African Buffalo, Wikipedia intro: "ark, hairy tuft. The species occurs in a variety of habitats, such as woodlands, savannas, forests, grasslands, shrublands and wetlands. It forms herds ranging..."View the Source

Nine-banded Armadillo (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Nine-banded Armadillo, Wikipedia intro: "mainly nocturnal animal, found in many kinds of habitats, from mature and secondary rainforests to grassland and dry scrub. It is an insectivore, feeding chiefl..."View the Source

Plains Zebra (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Plains Zebra, Wikipedia intro: "ween clines and individuals. The plains zebra's habitat is generally, but not exclusively, treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands, both tropical and temperat..."View the Source

White-tailed Deer (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: White-tailed Deer, Wikipedia intro: "adaptable, the various subspecies of white-tailed deer inhabit many different ecosystems, from arid grasslands to the Amazon and Orinoco basins; from the Llanos..."View the Source

Wikipedia: House Sparrow

WikipediaHome To: House Sparrow, Wikipedia intro: "ings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, polar regions, and hot, dry deserts far away fro..."View the Source

Maned Wolf (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Maned Wolf, Wikipedia intro: "s a loud call known as "roar-barking". This mammal lives in open and semi-open habitats, especially grasslands with scattered bushes and trees, in the Cerrado o..."View the Source

Serval (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Serval, Wikipedia intro: "is a wild small cat native to Africa. It is widespread in sub-Saharan countries, where it inhabits grasslands, wetlands, moorlands and bamboo thickets. Across i..."View the Source

Secretarybird (Wikipedia)

WikipediaHome To: Secretarybird, Wikipedia intro: "It is mostly terrestrial, spending most of its time on the ground, and is usually found in the open grasslands and savanna of the sub-Saharan region. John Frede..."View the Source

Ball python, Wikipedia

Home To: Ball Python, Wikipedia intro: "o called the royal python, is a python species native to West and Central Africa, where it lives in grasslands, shrublands and open forests. This nonvenomous co..."View the Source

Burrowing owl - Wikipedia

Home To: Burrowing Owl, Wikipedia intro: "pecies of owl native to the open landscapes of North and South America. They are typically found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Yucca brevifolia

Home To: Joshua Tree, Wikipedia intro: "to the Mojave Desert between 400 and 1,800 m (1,300 and 5,900 ft) elevation. It thrives in the open grasslands of Queen Valley and Lost Horse Valley in Joshua T..."View the Source

Red imported fire ant - Wikipedia

Home To: Red Imported Fire Ant, Wikipedia intro: "and live in a wide variety of habitats. They can be found in rainforests, disturbed areas, deserts, grasslands, alongside roads and buildings, and in electrical..."View the Source

African Bush Elephant (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: African Bush Elephant, Wikipedia intro: "ation by retaining water. The African bush elephant inhabits a variety of habitats such as forests, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and agricultural land. It is..."View the Source

Agaricus bisporus - Wikipedia

Home To: White Button Mushroom, Wikipedia intro: "Agaricus bisporus, the cultivated mushroom, is a basidiomycete mushroom native to grasslands in Eurasia and North America. It is cultivated in more than 70 coun..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Argentine Horned Frog

WikipediaHome To: Argentine Horned Frog, Wikipedia intro: "idae. The species is endemic to South America. It is the most common species of horned frog, in the grasslands of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. A voracious eat..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Tamandua

WikipediaHome To: Tamandua, Wikipedia intro: "uthern tamandua (T. tetradactyla) and the northern tamandua (T. mexicana). They live in forests and grasslands, are semiarboreal, and possess partially prehensi..."View the Source

Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) (Wikipedia)

Home To: Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Wikipedia intro: "ndia in the west to Borneo in the east, and Nepal in the north to Sumatra in the south. It inhabits grasslands, tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen fores..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Leopard tortoise

Home To: Leopard Tortoise, Wikipedia intro: "s commonly placed in Geochelone. This tortoise is a grazing species that favors semiarid, thorny to grassland habitats. In both very hot and very cold weather,..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Wood turtle

WikipediaHome To: Wood Turtle, Wikipedia intro: "w, clear streams with compacted and sandy bottoms. The wood turtle can also be found in forests and grasslands, but will rarely be seen more than several hundre..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Zygaena fausta

WikipediaHome To: Zygaena Fausta, Wikipedia intro: "lts often visit a wide range of flowers including knapweed and eryngo. Typical habitat is dry chalk grassland. Adults fly throughout the summer from April or Ma..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Northern bald ibis

Home To: Northern Bald Ibis, Wikipedia intro: "it ibis, or Waldrapp (Geronticus eremita) is a migratory Old World ibis found in open areas such as grasslands, rocky mountains, and semi-deserts, often close t..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Blunt-headed salamander

Home To: Blunt-headed Salamander, Wikipedia intro: "n Michoac?n state in Southwestern Mexico. It inhabits a landscape consisting of a mosaic of natural grasslands and pine-oak forests at elevations of about 2,000..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Black-footed cat

Home To: Black-footed Cat, Wikipedia intro: "in the northern Karoo of South Africa and described in 1824. It is endemic to the arid steppes and grassland savannas of Southern Africa. It was recorded in sou..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Philippine Pangolin

WikipediaHome To: Philippine Pangolin, Wikipedia intro: "ince of the Philippines. Its habitat includes primary and secondary forests, as well as surrounding grasslands. This species is moderately common within its lim..."View the Source

Wikipedia: African wildcat

Home To: African Wildcat, Wikipedia intro: "n China. It inhabits a broad variety of landscapes ranging from deserts to savannas, shrublands and grasslands. The African wildcat is the ancestor of the domes..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Chinese mountain cat

Home To: Chinese Mountain Cat, Wikipedia intro: "egs and black tipped ears. It is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau of western China, where it lives in grassland above elevations of 2,500 m (8,200 ft). It has bee..."View the Source

Wikipedia: Pampas cat

WikipediaHome To: Pampas Cat, Wikipedia intro: "tion may cause the population to decline in the future. It is named after the Pampas, but occurs in grassland, shrubland, and dry forest at elevations up to 5,0..."View the Source

Banded mongoose (Wikipedia)

Home To: Banded mongoose, Wikipedia intro: "a mongoose species native from the Sahel to Southern Africa. It lives in savannas, open forests and grasslands and feeds primarily on beetles and millipedes. Mo..."View the Source

Lion (Wikipedia)

Home To: Lion, Wikipedia intro: "and have a prominent mane that extends from the head to the shoulders and chest. The lion inhabits grasslands, savannahs, and shrublands. It is an apex and keys..."View the Source

Sorrel (Wikipedia)

Home To: Sorrel, Wikipedia intro: "dock ("dock" often used for the genus). The species is native to Eurasia and a common wild plant in grassland habitats. It is often consumed as a leaf vegetable..."View the Source

Corn crake (Wikipedia)

Home To: Corn crake, Wikipedia intro: "that species is also darker-plumaged, and has a plainer face. The corn crake's breeding habitat is grassland, particularly hayfields, and it uses similar enviro..."View the Source

Agrostis gigantea (Wikipedia)

Home To: Agrostis gigantea, Wikipedia intro: "response to fires, with the survival of rhizomes and seeds. It can be found in open woodland, rough grassland, hedgerows, roadsides and waste ground, and as a w..."View the Source

Groundhog (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Groundhog, Wikipedia 'Groundhog': contributor to soil health in woodlands and plainsView the Source

Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Wikipedia 'Black-tailed prairie dog': found in the Great Plains of North AmericaView the Source

Common Warthog (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Common Warthog, Wikipedia 'Common warthog': found in grassland, savanna, and woodland in sub-Saharan AfricaView the Source

Red-tailed Hawk (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Red-tailed Hawk, Wikipedia 'Red-tailed hawk': occupies a wide range of habitats including deserts, grasslands, coniferous and deciduous forestsView the Source

Turkey Vulture (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Turkey Vulture, Wikipedia 'Turkey vulture': inhabits subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and desertsView the Source

Leopard Gecko (Wikipedia)

Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Leopard Gecko, Wikipedia 'Leopard gecko': native to the rocky dry grassland and desert regions of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, and NepalView the Source

Gelada (Wikidata)

WikidataHome To: Gelada, IntroductionView the Source

Wikidata: Common Starling

Home To: Common Starling, IntroductionView the Source

Rocky Mountain Juniper (Wikidata)

WikidataHome To: Rocky Mountain Juniper, IntroductionView the Source

Puff adder (Wikidata)

WikidataHome To: Puff Adder, IntroductionView the Source

Eastern Spotted Skunk (Wikidata)

WikidataHome To: Eastern Spotted Skunk, IntroductionView the Source

Short-eared owl (Wikidata)

WikidataHome To: Short-eared owl, IntroductionView the Source

Hen harrier (Wikidata)

WikidataHome To: Hen harrier, IntroductionView the Source

Black-winged kite (Wikidata)

WikidataHome To: Black-winged kite, IntroductionView the Source

Mascarene swiftlet (Wikidata)

WikidataHome To: Mascarene swiftlet, IntroductionView the Source

Dissenting Readings (1 dissenting reading)

Description

Whittaker's own classic biome-climate diagram, published in Communities and Ecosystems (1975), plots vegetation type against mean annual temperature and precipitation and places tropical savanna and temperate grassland/desert in genuinely separate regions of that diagram rather than treating them as one grassland category. Carried here as a real disagreement in the classification literature this atlas draws from: this entry's own choice to fold savanna into one Grassland biome, following a common simplified convention, is not the only defensible reading, and a source as foundational to modern biome classification as Whittaker's own diagram drew the line differently.

A dissenting reading, from Robert H. WhittakerEncyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

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