Grasslands of the Globe

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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What Is a Grassland?

Grasslands are areas of land where grasses are the main plants.

You won’t find thick forests or tall mountains here. Instead, you’ll see open space, scattered trees or shrubs, and sky that seems to go on forever.

There are two main types.

• Temperate Grasslands – These grasslands have warm summers, cold winters, and rich soil. They grow in places like:

  • The Prairies of North America

  • The Pampas of South America

  • The Steppe of Eurasia

  • The Veldt of South Africa

• Tropical Grasslands (Savannas) – These have warm weather all year, with rainy and dry seasons. They grow in:

  • Africa (home to famous savannas)

  • Parts of India, Australia, and South America

A Tour of World Grasslands

Take a quick tour of some famous grasslands and what makes them special!

The North American Prairie

• Type: Temperate

• Plants: Big bluestem, goldenrod, sunflowers

• Animals: Bison, prairie dogs, badgers, hawks

• Fun Fact: Prairie dog towns can stretch for miles and support tons of life!

The African Savanna

• Type: Tropical

• Plants: Tall grasses, baobab trees, acacia

• Animals: Lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes

• Fun Fact: Some African animals migrate hundreds of miles each year to find food and water.

The Eurasian Steppe

• Type: Temperate

• Plants: Feather grass, sagebrush

• Animals: Wild horses, foxes, eagles

• Fun Fact: The steppe is known for its chilly winters and strong, dry winds.

The South American Pampas

• Type: Temperate

• Plants: Pampas grass, thistles

• Animals: Armadillos, maned wolves, rheas (large flightless birds!)

• Fun Fact: Pampas soil is so rich that it's used to grow tons of crops.

The Australian Savanna

• Type: Tropical

• Plants: Eucalyptus trees, spinifex grass

• Animals: Kangaroos, dingoes, emus

• Fun Fact: Fires are part of the natural cycle here and help new plants grow.

What Makes Each One Unique?

While all grasslands are open and grassy, they each have the following.

• Different climates (hot and dry, cool and windy, rainy and sunny)

• Different plants and animals that are adapted to live there

• Different names based on where they are in the world

Grasslands cover about 25% of the earth’s land, and they are super important. 

• They help feed people and animals.

• They store carbon and fight climate change.

• They give homes to thousands of species.

Now that you’ve trekked across the planet’s prairies and plains, it’s time to show what you’ve learned!

Jump into a review and test your travel smarts in the Got It? section!