Grassland Biome
A biome is a "community" created by the climax vegetation found in the area/region. This vegetative type is created by similar precip and temperature patterns which leads to other factors that are similar amongst this biome.
A Temperate Grassland biome consists of grasses and forbs and is said to be the most fertile soil (yes! for SD farmers!). This biome receives 10-20 inches of precip a year, except for this year, and consists of tall, mixed and short grasses respectively across the state.
I am looking forward to seeing the great variety of animals, insects and plants that exist in a Grassland Biome. This should include but not limited to gophers, snakes, prairie birds, antelope, prairie flowers (rose) and prairie grasses.
1 Reply
That's a great list of "hope to sees". I'll be honest, I've never seen an antelope on our trips. I've seen the birds, though, and the snakes, including rattlesnakes (once).
The only rodent I recall seeing is beaver, though the last few years they've been rarer than when I first went on the river. I suspect I first noticed beaver at the peak of a population cycle.
By the last week of June the wildflowers are beginning to fade, though there are still plenty to see. I'll be bringing along a book "Botany in a Day" which teaches the 7 plant families. Knowing the family makes the plant MUCH easier to identify.
Anne Lewis
Jun 13, 2011 at 2:34 PM