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When dinosaurs roamed the Earth we didn't have grasslands....crazy right!?!?! Cruise through these resources to get an idea of the evolutionary history of grasses (and grasslands) as well as their coevolution with grazers. Move on to learning about how the grasslands we see around us (lawns, pastures, ditches, etc.) are built of introduced grasses from Europe. Learn about grasslands role in sustainability and dive into the middle of the debate about whether or not grazing animals can contribute to carbon sequestration. Finally learn a little bit about current attempts to regain and protect the American Savanna!
Evolution of Grasses
Evolution of Grasses
Evolution by the Grassroots - coevolution of grasses and grazers - read this short webpage
The Grassland Empire - how grasslands developed on Earth - read this short webpage
introduced Grasses and Invaders
introduced Grasses and Invaders
Read from "The Early Role of Grasslands - pg. 5" through "Forage, Range, and Grasslands Today - pg. 10"
Read from "The Early Role of Grasslands - pg. 5" through "Forage, Range, and Grasslands Today - pg. 10"
This reading is meant to give you background information on how different species of grasses as well as larger grasslands ecosystems have changed over time here in North America. The grasses that you see all around are not the original species and species assemblages native to our region. Instead, what you are seeing is an introduce large "cool season" grass species assemblages that came from Europe (for the most part).
Read this section about pastures & hayfields and sustainability
Read this section about pastures & hayfields and sustainability
Reed Canary Grass - this is an introduced species that is ALL OVER THE PLACE at Merry Lea - it tends to smother everything else!
Grasslands - The American Serengeti
Grasslands - The American Serengeti
Video showing ambitious plan to restore part of the American short grass prairie
Botany in the prairie!
Grasslands & Carbon Sequestration
Grasslands & Carbon Sequestration
How much can grazing livestock help mitigate climate change?
understand ruminant functions in grasslands and also that the rumen creates methane (a potent GHG) as a byproduct of processing tough grasses
Do ruminants stimulate carbon dioxide uptake on pastures through well managed grazing therefore offsetting methane production?
context is important - in some systems ruminants drive net carbon sequestration, whereas in others they don't
When carbon is stored via grazing, we have to be careful not to reverse this sequestration!
supplements given to cattle to reduce methane production in the rumen show promise!
global reduction of meat consumption coupled with a phasing out of feedlot-raised animal in favor of grass-fed animals will be part of the solution
Most important to watch from 14:48 to 45:00
"Take Home Message" summary starts at 43:22
Native grasslands are very food at sequestering carbon
Once you convert native grasslands to cultivation it takes a very long time to re-sequester carbon once the land is taken out of cultivation - LEAVE THEM BE!
silvopasture (grassland grazing mixed with perennials like trees) systems tend to compare favorably when it comes to carbon sequestration
grazing effects on carbon are inconsistent and difficult to predict! --- context, context, context!
grazers reduce litter but this translates to higher carbon in the soil through enhanced decomposition - so no net effect!
generally grazing is compatible with maintaining soil carbon
reduced frequency in grazing can drive methane uptake by soils!
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