Nebraska Grassland Essay, Research Paper

Found only in the midwestern region is the North American Grassland. Housing small

lakes and rivers, this grassland is home for many plants and animals. The grassland and its’

components is one of the four chief kinds of natural vegetation. Surrounded by mountain

ranges, the grassland is nowhere near any major bodies of water.

The grassland stretches across most of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa, creating

seven communities of grassland. These seven communities are tallgrass prairie, mixed prairie,

shortgrass prairie, desert grassland, intermountain grassland, California grassland and Eastern

grassland. Each community has different types of plants and animals. Many trees are in this

grassland such as apple trees, coast live oaks, and acorn trees, not to mention all the plants.

Some of those plants are stalked mushrooms, pasque flower, wild blue flax, bluets, mixed

grasses, needlegrass, timothy, blue brama, tobosa grass, purple needlegrass, flatpod, horse

nettle, prairie minosa, common sunflower, yellow bell, vase flower, and the prairie rose.

Climate in many places is about the same, with cold winters and summers. Winter

temperatures can reach as low as 70 degrees below zero. Rainfall is very moderate, with

variations each year.

Animals in North America range in all shapes and sizes. Each have been divided into

basic categories. Animals that eat other animals are called carnivores. Examples are:

coyotes, fox, weasels, daddy long legs, frogs, snakes, owls, and mountain bluebirds. Animals

that only eat plants are called herbivores. Examples are: rabbits, bees, green valley

grasshoppers, deers and pronghorns. Also animals that eat both are called omnivores.

Examples are: skunks, badgers, mice, squirrels, butterflies, moths and caterpillars.

Living in the state of Nebraska, we have the opportunity to experience the natural beauty

of the various grasslands and see the animals in their seasons. We can see first hand the life

cycle of both plants and animals that are interacting in our region. There are several research

farms from the universities located here that relay data regarding animal life and plant

reproduction. We are fortunate to live in the Mid-Western Region.