Module 11
Grassland Ecosystem
Introduction
Grassland is one of the major ecosystems of the world, covering close to one-third of the earth’s
terrestrial surface. It is mainly created by processes related to climate, fire, and wildlife grazing (Parr,
et.al., 2019). Grasslands generally occur in areas where the climate is hot and dry in summer and cool to
cold in winter. The parent material is often composed of fine sediments and grasslands are often in
valley or plateau landscapes. The organisms that live in them include plants and animals that have
adapted to the dry climatic condition in a variety of ways. Humans can help the grassland by protecting
and restoring wetlands which are an important part of grassland ecology. Rotate agricultural crops to
prevent the sapping of nutrients. Plant trees as wind breaks to reduce erosion.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Describe the grassland ecosystem.
2. Recognize the importance of grassland in livestock production.
3. Produce an infographic to show how to maintain a healthy grassland.
Pre-Assessment
Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. What type of plants does not grow in grassland?
a. Grasses
b. Bushes
c. Tall trees
d. Clover
2. Which type of grasslands are also known as tropical grassland?
a. Prairie
b. Steppes
c. Pampas
d. Savanna
3. How do grasslands play an important role in providing food to people?
a. Farming wheat
b. Farming corn
c. Raising cattle
d. All of the above
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4. What happened to the majority of grassland in North America?
a. Slowly dried out
b. Turned into farmland
c. Taken over by forest
d. Nothing happened
5. Scientists believe that fires in the grassland can help bring new life to the area.
a. True
b. False
Lesson Presentation
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous
(nonwoody) plants. It is also called transitional landscape. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents
except Antarctica and are found in most ecoregions of the earth. The primary function of grassland:
1. Provide forage for livestock
2. Protect and conserve soil and water resources
3. Furnish a habitat for livestock
4. Contribute to the attractiveness of the landscape
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Large-vertebrate-grazers-such-as-these-North-
American-bison-Bison-bison-can-modify_fig5_269038454 | photo by: Matt Whiles
Grasslands are important to maintain the crop of many domesticated and wild herbivores such
as horse, mule, ass, cow, pig, sheep, goat, buffalo, camel, deer, and many more. If grasslands are not
protected and conserved, many years from now supply of meat products will adversely be affected.
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The following are the key characteristics of the grassland biome:
1. Vegetation structure is dominated by grasses.
2. Occur in semi-arid climate.
3. Rainfall and soil insufficient to support significant tree growth.
4. Most common at mid-latitudes and near interior of continents.
5. Often exploited for agricultural use.
IMPORTANCE OF GRASSLAND
Grasslands are the key life source to sustainability and are essential in sustaining soil health.
Having a wealth of grasslands provide the ecosystem with sufficient clean water, helps prevent flood,
and promotes the natural production of food crops and meat.
Grassland in the Philippines have been traditionally referred to as cogonal lands because cogon
is the predominant species. It has been reduced from 11% of the total land area to 6% over the past few
decades mainly due to conversion of this ecosystem into croplands. Most grassland in the Philippines
are the result of the destruction of forests. Some like the grassland on top of Mount Pulag in Mountain
Province are natural formations.
Location of Grasslands in the Philippines:
1. Laguna de Bay (Gulod, Cabuyao)
2. Alfonso, Cavite
3. Batangas
4. Bulacan
5. La Union
6. Laguna Province
7. Pangasinan
8. Rizal
9. Tarlac
References:
1. What is a Grassland Ecosystem?
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBjTB_YM7ww
2. America’s Grassland: A Threatened National Treasure
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBb0ZdmfYQc
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Activity
For a grassland ecosystem to be successful it is important that the constituent materials move in
a cyclic manner. The green plants take up mineral elements from the soil and air then convert them into
organic forms and after passing through different tropic levels are again returned to the soil and air.
Draw and label a nutrient cycle that occur in a grassland ecosystem.
Reinforcement
Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica and are found in most ecoregions
of the earth. The grasslands are managed to a variety of purposes including forage, fish and wildlife,
timber, water, and recreation resources. This is the last habitat described under the terrestrial
ecosystem.
The next module will discuss aquatic habitats starting from the estuarine, a place where
seawater and freshwater meet.
