Exploring Grassland and Forest Ecosystems

Latitude

Geographical coordinate indicating north-south position.

Grassland Ecosystem

Dominated by grasses, few trees present.

Seasons

Two main seasons: growing and dormant.

Climate

Warm year-round, very dry conditions.

Dormant Stage

Period when grasses stop growing in winter.

Chlorophyll

Green pigment enabling photosynthesis in plants.

Monocot

Plant with one seed leaf, like grasses.

Poaceae

Family of grasses, primary vegetation in grasslands.

Carabao Grass

Paspalum conjugatum, a short nutritious grass.

Bermuda Grass

Cynodon dactylon, tall and spiky grass.

Cyperaceae

Family of sedges, includes water sedge species.

Juncaceae

Family of rushes, includes common rush species.

Transitional Landscape

Area between different ecosystems, like forests and deserts.

Rainfall

Annual precipitation between 25 to 80 cm.

Evaporation Rates

High rates due to warm climate and open areas.

Drought

Extended period of low rainfall affecting vegetation.

Grazing Species

Animals like cows and goats that feed on grasses.

Periodic Fires

Natural events for ecosystem maintenance and renewal.

Thin Leaves

Adaptation for efficient gas exchange in grasses.

Biotic Components

Living elements like producers in an ecosystem.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food, like grasses.

Phreatic Zone

Water table where roots access moisture.

Plant Adaptation

Features enabling survival in specific environments.

Runners

Horizontal stems for asexual reproduction in plants.

Acacia

Tree species that form mutualism with ants.

Rhizome

Specialized stem for underground plant runners.

Stolon

Above-ground stem for plant propagation.

Fibrous root system

Root structure advantageous for stability and absorption.

Deep Roots

Roots that access water and nutrients deeper underground.

Ethylene gas

Chemical signal produced by acacias under stress.

Photosynthate

Product of photosynthesis, mainly sugars.

Biomass

Total mass of living matter in an ecosystem.

Primary consumers

Herbivores that feed directly on plants.

Secondary consumers

Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Tertiary consumers

Carnivores that feed on secondary consumers.

Biotic limiting factor

Living factors affecting species distribution.

Faunal Diversity

Variety of animal species in an ecosystem.

Phreatophytes

Deep-rooted plants accessing water from phreatic zone.

Grazing intensity

Level of herbivore feeding impacting plant populations.

Overgrazing

Excessive grazing leading to vegetation depletion.

Decomposers

Microorganisms that break down organic matter.

Saprotrophic microorganisms

Bacteria and fungi that decompose organic material.

Carbon flow

Movement of carbon through ecosystem components.

Thorns

Sharp structures on plants to deter herbivores.

Land conversion

Change of land use for urban development.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by eating others.

Distress scent signals

Chemical signals emitted by plants under threat.

Adaptation

Changes organisms make for survival in environments.

Mitigation

Strategies to reduce negative environmental impacts.

Abiotic Components

Non-living chemical and physical factors in ecosystems.

Protected Areas

Designated regions for wildlife conservation and protection.

NPP (Net Primary Productivity)

Rate of energy production in ecosystems via photosynthesis.

Cogon Grass

Imperata cylindrica, dominant grass in many grasslands.

Talahib

Saccharum spontaneum, a common grass in lowlands.

Mulch

Layer of organic material improving soil health.

Soil Moisture

Water content in soil affecting plant growth.

Infiltration

Process of water entering soil layers.

Erosion

Removal of soil by wind or water.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in ecosystems, promoting resilience.

Grassland Ecosystem Importance

Supports agriculture, habitat, and biodiversity maintenance.

Fire as Limiting Factor

Influences grass regrowth and ecosystem dynamics.

Global Warming Threat

Climate change risking grasslands turning into deserts.

Rain as Limiting Factor

Determines grass growth types and heights.

Essential Elements

Nutrients like C, H, N, O, P, S from soil.

Grassland Area in Philippines

1.8 million ha pure grasslands; 33% cultivated.

Grazing Areas

Land used for livestock feeding and management.

Transitional Landscape

Area connecting different ecosystems like forests and grasslands.

Agronomic Crops

Crops from Poaceae family, e.g., wheat and rice.

Fire Adaptations in Trees

Thick bark protects against fire and pathogens.

Leaf Adaptations

Structural changes in leaves for environmental efficiency.

Biomass

Total mass of living organisms in an area.

Above-ground biomass (AGB)

Biomass of living vegetation above soil.

Below-ground biomass (BGB)

Biomass of roots and associated soil litter.

Primary production

Process converting solar energy to chemical energy.

Forest canopy structure

Arrangement of tree crowns in a forest.

Emergent layer

Tallest trees rising above the canopy.

Canopy trees

Trees forming continuous layers in the forest.

Understory

Layer beneath the canopy with smaller trees.

Forest floor

Lowest layer covered with leaf litter and moss.

Silviculture

Management of forest growth and health.

Microclimatic factors

Local climate variations affecting forest structure.

Ecophysiological behavior

Tree responses to environmental conditions.

Light interception

Canopy's role in blocking sunlight to lower layers.

Carbon sequestration

Storage of carbon in forest biomass.

Biodiversity

Variety of species in an ecosystem.

Woody plants

Plants with hard stems, including trees and shrubs.

Shade-tolerant species

Plants thriving in low-light forest conditions.

Windbreak

Canopy's function in reducing wind impact.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert light to energy.

Forest structure

Physical arrangement of trees and vegetation.

Competition for resources

Struggle among plants for sunlight and nutrients.

Adaptation of trees

Changes in trees to survive in their environment.

Vertical structure

Height variation among trees and shrubs in forests.

Canopy

Upper layer of a forest with dense foliage.

Microclimates

Localized climate variations within a larger area.

Niche

An organism's role in its environment.

Photosynthetic Activity

Process of converting light into energy by plants.

Gradient Structure

Variation in environmental conditions across layers.

Consumers

Organisms that rely on others for food.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores that eat plants directly.