vegetation

Question 1

north american grasslands are dominated by

Answer 1

grasses
forbs

Question 2

the canadian grasslands consist of how many hectares

Answer 2

47 million

Question 3

why are these grasslands good for agriculture

Answer 3

natural fertility
moisture holding capacity

Question 4

what is all of the grassland used for

Answer 4

70% cropland
27% rangeland
3% forest

Question 5

what is soil colloids

Answer 5

smallest and most chemically active particles in soils
- are able to hold lots of water
- negative surface charge attracts positive cations

Question 6

cation exchange

Answer 6

total amount of exchangeable cations that a soil can absorb

Question 7

3 types of soil water

Answer 7

• hygroscopic
• capillary
• gravitational water

Question 8

what is hygroscopic water

Answer 8

after water that is needed in the soil the remaining water adheres to soil particles and is unavailable to plants

Question 9

what is capillary water

Answer 9

water is held in micropores

Question 10

what is gravitational water

Answer 10

excess water drains out of the root zone

Question 11

3 types of prairie vegetation

Answer 11

1. tall grass - trees and shrubs in areas where theres not a lot of water
2. mixed prairie - most extensive grassland
3. short grass - maximum height 30 cm

Question 12

photosynthesis

Answer 12

turning light energy into chemical energy, and convert water, CO2 and minerals into oxygen and energy rich organic compounds

Question 13

what is C3 grasses

Answer 13

cool-season grasses - begin growth in early spring and flower in early summer, dominate in the northern great plains

Question 14

what is C4 grasses

Answer 14

begin growth in late spring and flower in late summer, dominate in the southern great plains

Question 15

how grasses adapt for the prairie environment

Answer 15

1. growing point below ground
2. deep rooting zone - accesses moisture more easily, and help to anchor against the wind
3. narrow leaves
4. wind tolerante

Question 16

how does growing below the ground help plants in the prairie environment

Answer 16

protected from fire, grazing, frost so plant can continue to grow

Question 17

how does the plants deep rooting system help them in the prairie environment

Answer 17

• helps to anchor them in the wind
• they have access to moisture and nutrients

Question 18

how do narrow leaves help plants grow on the prairies

Answer 18

minimizes moisture loss through evapotranspiration

Question 19

evapotranspiration rates depend on (4)

Answer 19

• net radiation which increases heating
• air temperature which influences maximum humidity
• relative humidity and moisture capacity of air
• wind speed