Exploring Grassland Biomes: Video Assessment

Upon viewing the Exploring Grassland Biomes video series, students will be able to do the following: Describe some of the basic characteristics of grasslands: - grasslands receive 25 to 75 centimeters of rain a year - grazing by large animals hinders tree growth - occasional fires prevent large numbers of trees and shrubs from becoming established - quite often grasslands receive irregular rainfall and sometimes experience droughts Understand that climate is a major factor determining the characteristics of different grasslands. Explain there are a wide variety of different grasslands throughout the world. Some of the different types of grasslands include savannas, steppes, tropical grasslands, and temperate grasslands. Describe the location and characteristics of California grasslands. Cite the location and characteristics of intermountain grasslands. List some of the plants and animals found in desert grasslands, and describe their location in North America. Describe the location of the shortgrass prairie in North America. Describe some of the plants and animals found on the shortgrass prairie. Using a map, outline the former extent of the tallgrass prairie in North America. Describe some of the plants and animals found on the tallgrass prairie. Understand that in North America little remains of the grasslands that once spanned huge areas of the continent. Describe how grasslands in North America have changed.