Grasslands, divided into tropical and temperate categories, are on every continent except Antarctica.
Grasslands, also known as pampas, veldts, steppes and prairies, play an essential role in the survival of plants, animals and humans across the globe. Commonly described as unaltered, open areas of landscape where grasses, herbs and wild flowers dominate the vegetation, grasslands are also home to various bodies of water that are a reliable source of refuge through the seasons, despite the erratic precipitation that is so common in grassland areas.
Ponds & Lakes
Lakes and ponds, described as large, deep bodies of open water present year-round, frequently occur throughout grasslands. Ponds and lakes vary in size, shape and depth, as they are the products of melted ice running off into natural hollows in the landscape. These grassland bodies of water typically feature high levels of nutrients, such as decayed plant material and animal waste, and support a wide variety of plant and animal life that cannot survive in other areas of the grasslands. Saline ponds, which feature rings of white salt crystals, colorful salt-loving plants and brine shrimp, are a natural formation usually only forming in grassland areas.
Rivers & Streams
Streams, rivers and gullies flow through grasslands like ribbons of all lengths and widths, draining water from the higher elevations into deeper lakes and ponds. Grassland streams, rivers and creeks serve as guides and life supports for animals, including migrating birds and bears preparing for hibernation. Gullies are the remains of ancient rivers that were carved into the landscape as glaciers retreated during the last Ice Age, and act as pathways that connect the higher and lower areas of the grasslands. Despite the fact that some gullies are now dry ravines, many still maintain water levels that supply a special habitat for plants and animals.
Wetlands
Wetlands, which are ecosystems where the water levels change dramatically through the seasons and can differ dramatically from year to year, often border ponds and lakes. These bodies of water regulate the water flow in the grasslands by holding it like a sponge and rereleasing it slowly into the surrounding areas. While water is usually present year-round, shallower areas of the wetlands may dry out during hot summer months, particularly in times of drought. These grassland bodies of water support a wide variety of waterfowl, small mammals and hydrophytic plants, which are grasses, herbs and flowers that thrive in saturated soils.
Tags: bodies water, areas grasslands, grasses herbs, grassland areas, grassland bodies
