1. Ramu Venkataraman Jerry Duncan Alexa Rakhimova Per:5

3. Grasslands

4. Average daily temperatures range between -20 and 30 °C. Temperate grasslands have cold winters and warm summers with rain or some snow. Receive between 500 and 900 mm (20 and 35 in) of rain per year.

5. Grassland Primary Producers: Grasses are the dominant vegetation. Trees and large shrubs are absent. Primary Consumers: Hoofed Animals, Rodents, Blackbirds, Grouses, Meadowlarks, Quails, Sparrows Secondary Consumers: Lions, Wolves, Coyotes, Hawks, Owls, Snakes, Spiders

6. Savanna

7. Annual rainfall is from about 20-50 inches per year. The savanna climate has a temperature range of 68° to 86° F (20° - 30° C). In the winter, it is usually about 68° to 78° F (20° - 25° C). In the summer the temperature ranges from 78° to 86° F (25° - 30° C).

8. Savanna Characterized by a continuous cover of perennial grasses and scattered individual trees The world's greatest diversity of hoofed animals. Most herbivorous mammals of the open savannas are herd animals Species-rich herbivore trophic level supports a diverse set of carnivores, including cats dogs, and hyenas.

10. Grasslands Cougars Bobcats Squirrels Nuts/Seeds Coyotes Rabbits Grass Lions Zebras Shrubs/Leaves Badgers Snakes Prairie Grass

11. Savanna African Wild Dog Gazelle Grass Caracals Hares Grass Hyena Mongoose Beetles Leaves Nile Crocodiles Turtles Fish Algae

13. Major Disturbances Human altercations of ecosystems have been most extensive in grasslands/savanna. Many islands have lost their original environment (ie. Madagascar who has lost more than 99% of it’s original landcover) The major human impacts are all disturbances This includes: o Conversion to farmland o Grazing for cattle o Fire suppression

14. Conversion The largest threat to grasslands/savanna is conversion of rich soil to farmland When the temperatures drastically change, the grass above ground dies leaving the roots. The grass dies and creates rich soil Agriculturalists go after this soil to produce their own crops

15. Grazing Most of the grassland and savanna areas are too dry for farming This makes the biome vulnerable for grazing instead of the production of crops Since these areas are very dry, overgrazing leads to soil erosion as the ground cover disappears

16. Fire Suppression Grasslands and Savannas are known to spawn fires to create rich soil for grass to grow and disallow surrounding forests Humans extinguish these fires, which leads to another threat Fire suppression approves the encroachment of the tree line and restricts the development of the biome