Grasslands

Bison roaming on mixed grass prairie, a type of grassland, at Wind Cave National Park (U.S.) Click on image for full size (456K JPG) National Park Service

Over one quarter of the Earth's surface is covered by grasslands. Grasslands are found on every continent except Antarctica, and they make up most of Africa and Asia. There are several types of grassland.They are distinguished by different names like plains, prairies, savannas and pampas.

Grasslands develop where there isn't enough rain for forests but too much rain for deserts. Grasslands are filled with - you guessed it - grass. There are many types of grass, though. Fields of wheat are considered grasslands, even though they are often cultivated by people. Grass is special because it grows underneath the ground. During cold periods the grass can stay dormant until it warms up.

Bison roaming on mixed grass prairie, a type of grassland, at Wind Cave National Park (U.S.) Click on image for full size (456K JPG) National Park Service

Over one quarter of the Earth's surface is covered by grasslands. Grasslands are found on every continent except Antarctica, and they make up most of Africa and Asia. There are several types of grassland and each one has its own name. Prairies, plains and savannas are all grasslands.

Grasslands develop where there isn't enough rain for forests but too much rain for deserts. Grasslands are filled with - you guessed it - grass. There are many types of grass, though. Fields of wheat are considered grasslands, even though they are often cultivated by people. Grass is special because it grows underneath the ground. During cold periods the grass can stay dormant until it warms up.

Bison roaming on mixed grass prairie, a type of grassland, at Wind Cave National Park (U.S.) Click on image for full size (456K JPG) National Park Service

Do you know what grassland looks like? You're right, it looks like fields of grass! But there are many different types of grass. Some look a lot different than the grass in your yard!

Grassland makes up a lot of the Earth's surface. There is grassland in every continent but Antarctica. Many different animals live in the grasslands of the world.