Grassland Flashcards
1
Q
Characteristics
A
Dominated by graminoids - woody plants rare
Deep fertile soils
Summer rainfall and cold winter
Half year growing season
2
Q
Climate
A
Summer rainfall (400-2500mm) Winter drought Frost common Lightning = fire
3
Q
Structure
A
Grasses (Poaceae)
Few annuals
4
Q
Major groups
A
Low rainfall areas (highveld) -C4 dominant, sweet palatable grasses -maintain high nutrient level in winter High rainfall areas (escarpment) -C3 dominated -High plant production -frequent fires -Sour grasses on leached soil
5
Q
Biodiversity
A
High alpha diversity
Not many grasses endemic
Many herbs endemic
Wetlands important for animal diversity
6
Q
Conservation
A
Least conserved (1.6%)
7
Q
Pressure
A
Mining Forestry Agriculture Erosion Pollution
8
Q
Grazing effects on plant communities
A
- Density
– Plant longevity
– Seed reproduction
– Species composition
