Organisms found in grassland

Question 1

What is the defining species in a grassland?

Answer 1

grasses

Question 2

Why is clover often found growing in grasslands?

Answer 2

Because it contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These form nitrates and reduce the need for the artificial addition of expensive fertiliser.

Question 3

What other common plants can be found in grasslands?

Answer 3

buttercups, dandelions, daisies and nettles.

Question 4

What plants would be found if the ground has been disturbed?

Answer 4

poppies, thistles, dock leaves

Question 5

What plants would be found near hedges?

Answer 5

hedgerow plants such as primroses and bluebells

Question 6

What is found in grassland soil?

Answer 6

earthworms, snails, slugs, spiders, beetles

Question 7

What fauna would be found on the leaves of some plants?

Answer 7

aphids (mostly small greenflies which drink sugar-water from the leaves), ladybirds (which eat aphids) and caterpillars (which chew the leaves)

Question 8

What organisms are fund on flowers?

Answer 8

bees, wasps, butterflies and moths

Question 9

What larger animals are found in this ecosystem?

Answer 9

rabbits, badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, thrushes, blackbirds, hawks.