Grassland

Grasslands are big lands with lots of grass. Many other plants grow there too. You might see clover or small herbs.

These lands are found on almost every part of Earth. They are not in Antarctica. Grasslands cover a huge part of our world.

Many large animals live in the grass.

You can find rhinos and big elephants there. Lions and cheetahs also live in some grasslands.

Under the ground, grass has long roots. These roots hold the soil in place. They also help keep the ground healthy.

Grasslands are a very special home for nature.

Grasslands are huge areas of land covered mostly by grasses. You can also find plants like clover or small herbs there. These lands cover 31% to 69% of the Earth's land. You can find them on almost every continent except Antarctica.

There are different kinds of grasslands. Some are natural. Others are semi-natural. These are lands made by human work, like mowing or grazing animals.

These areas can be very rich in life. Some spots have many different plant species growing close together.

Many large animals call these places home.

You might see elephants, bison, or rhinos. Fast hunters like cheetahs also live in some grasslands.

Under the ground, grass has long roots. These roots form thick mats. They hold the soil in place. They also store carbon. Carbon is a part of nature that stays in the soil. This helps keep the ground healthy and deep.

Grasslands are huge areas of land where grasses are the main plant. You might also see plants like clover, rushes, or small herbs growing there. These lands are very important because they cover 31% to 69% of the Earth's land. You can find them on almost every continent except Antarctica.

There are three main types: natural, semi-natural, and agricultural grasslands. Semi-natural grasslands are special because they are made by human activities like mowing or grazing. These areas can be some of the most diverse habitats in the world.

These ecosystems work through a busy web of life.

Grasses grow well when there is between 25 and 75 cm of rain each year. The plants have long, fibrous root systems that grow deep into the ground. These roots form thick mats that hold the soil in place. Underground, tiny living things like earthworms and fungi help the plants. They break apart hard soil and add natural fertilizers. This process helps the plants grow and keeps the soil healthy and deep.

Grasslands have a very long history on our planet.

Scientists found fossils of dinosaur poop that contained bits of grass-like plants. This shows that grass relatives were around even during the Cretaceous period. About 5 million years ago, the first true grasslands appeared. This happened as forests began to shrink in different parts of the world. Later, as the Earth became hotter and drier, grasslands spread across the globe. They have been a major part of the Earth for over 1.8 million years.

Many amazing animals live in these wide-open spaces.

You can find huge animals like African elephants, bison, and rhinos there. Fast hunters like cheetahs and lions also use the grass to hunt.

Some grasslands, like the African savanna, even have trees and shrubs. In the soil, you might find creatures living as deep as 6 metres down. However, many of these habitats are in danger today. In Europe, about 90% of semi-natural grasslands have disappeared because of changes in how land is used.

Grasslands do much more than just provide a home for animals. They help the whole planet by storing carbon in the soil.

About 81% of the carbon in a grassland is kept underground in the dirt. This helps manage the Earth's climate. Grasslands also support the lives of about one billion people around the world. They provide food and help keep the weather stable. By protecting these lands, we help keep many different species of plants and animals safe.

Grasslands are vast terrestrial ecosystems where grasses and legumes are the dominant vegetation. These biomes are incredibly widespread, covering between 31% and 69% of the Earth's total land area. You can find them on every continent except Antarctica. A grassland is defined by its specific environment and plant life. These areas usually receive between 25 and 75 cm of average annual precipitation. This amount of rain is enough to support grass but not enough for thick forests. They are maintained by natural forces like fire, grazing, drought, and freezing temperatures.

There are three primary types of grasslands: natural, semi-natural, and agricultural. Natural grasslands exist without human interference. Semi-natural grasslands are a very common subcategory. These form through human activities like mowing or livestock grazing. While humans influence them, natural processes still maintain the species pool. These areas are often among the most species-rich ecosystems in the world. For example, some meadows in Estonia have recorded 76 plant species in just one square meter.

In contrast, agricultural grasslands are often modified by humans. These are frequently turned into monocultures, where only one type of plant is grown. This process often uses fertilizers and pesticides, which can reduce the original plant diversity.

Grasslands have a deep evolutionary history spanning millions of years. Graminoids, or grass-like plants, became widespread toward the end of the Cretaceous period. Scientists have even found fossilized dinosaur feces, called coprolites, containing bits of early grass relatives.

Around 5 million years ago, the first true grasslands appeared in the New and Old Worlds. This happened as forest biomes began to decline. In the western United States, the rise of mountains during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs helped create a climate perfect for grass. Following the Pleistocene ice ages, grasslands expanded in hotter, drier climates. They became a dominant land feature across the globe over 1.8 million years ago.

The biology of a grassland involves a complex web of interactions. Perennial grasses have extensive, fibrous root systems. These roots form thick mats that hold the soil firmly in place.

In undisturbed areas, the soil can reach depths of 6 metres. Deep in the soil, invertebrates like earthworms, mites, and insect larvae live. These creatures, along with symbiotic fungi, help the ecosystem thrive. They break apart hard soil and add natural fertilizers like urea. Fungi can even help plants resist attacks from microbes or insects. This underground activity creates deep, fertile soils with high organic matter.

Animals in the grasslands often live in massive groups. Grasslands support some of the largest aggregations of large animals on Earth. You might see African elephants, plains bison, or white rhinos in these habitats.

Predators like lions, cheetahs, and jaguars also rely on these open spaces.

The vegetation can vary from short grasses to tall prairies. Some grasslands, known as savannas, include scattered trees and shrubs. These include the dehesa and montado regions in Spain and Portugal. However, the removal of key species like prairie dogs can disrupt the entire ecological balance.

Grasslands provide essential services that support about one billion people globally. One of their most important roles is carbon sequestration, which is the process of capturing and storing carbon.

Grasslands hold about 20% of the world's soil carbon stocks. Most of this carbon is stored underground in the roots and soil. In fact, soil carbon accounts for approximately 81% of the total ecosystem carbon. This happens because the underground biomass is much larger than the visible plants above. By storing carbon in the soil, grasslands help regulate the Earth's climate.

Despite their importance, grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems. Many have been lost to agricultural improvement, such as plowing or fertilizing. In Europe, nearly 90% of semi-natural grasslands disappeared during the 20th century. This loss happened due to various political and economic reasons. When grasslands are converted to intensive farming, they often lose their wild plant diversity. This affects many "specialist" species, including certain birds and pollinators. Protecting these lands is vital for maintaining global biodiversity and managing the planet's carbon.