Prairie
Biome Survey

4th grade fall unit

revised September 30, 2008

Unit goals

Though often overlooked, the tall grass prairie native to this part of the country is a vibrant, diverse region rich with plant and animal life. The students will identify the various species and conditions that make the prairie unique, understand seasonal changes, and build towards understanding the concept of the prairie as a biome.

This unit is specifically designed to address appropriate AAAS Project 2061 benchmarks as well as fourth grade Minnesota Academic Science Standards Ib, IIIb, and IVc. E-mail here for more information.

-- Summary Box --

Before your visit, please review with your students ...

The Great Plains and the prairie biome in general with regards to geographic location on the continent, history, and current status.
The various groups of plants and animals that we will be surveying on River Bend's prairie.
Some of the broad areas of the Earth's landscape that have unique characteristics (precursor to biome discussion).
The general principles of classification, grouping by similarities and separating by differences. Review guides created by River Bend.
The current weather conditions and recent weather patterns.

At River Bend ... (a worksheet will be used - sample worksheet)

During the introduction we will review the above material
The history of River Bend's restored prairie
Investigate what a "biome" really is
Students will be divided into teams, about 4-5 students per team
Progress through various surveys to identify various species and conditions on the prairie.
- Grasses, flowers and other vegetation
- Insects
- Birds and mammals
- Temperature, precipitation, sky conditions
Chart their results
During a break, learn about pioneer life on the prairie
In the closing we will ...
- inquire about students' results and put into seasonal perspective
- use the students' result to build a definition of a prairie biome.
- review the importance of prairie preservation
- remind the students of their next visit
- talk of upcoming events at River Bend
- invite the students to return on their own with family and friends

Back in the classroom ...

Graph/chart results gathered at River Bend
Monitor results from other classes to create spreadsheets and graphs. Click for an Excel spreadsheet template to use and a spreadsheet sample to see how it might turn out.
Explore how the prairie biome presented unique challenges to early peoples
Research prairie wildlife not found on River Bend's prairie

(trouble downloading? click here)

What is a prairie?

A prairie is a biome with a wide array of certain mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, grasses, flowers, fungi, a few specialized trees, and the soil on which these things live and grow. Prairies are essential for the survival of many plants and animals.

How are prairies different from most grasslands that we find today?

Prairies generally consist of native plants, rather than alien plants. Most grasslands today have predominantly alien plants brought over from other countries, which later replaced native plants as the ground was disturbed or cultivated.

What makes prairie plants unique?

Prairie grasses tend to grow later in the summer, have deeper roots than most plants, and tend to grow in clumps. These adaptations allow the plants to better withstand the drought and fire conditions common on the prairie. Many prairie leaves are covered in hairs to deflect sunlight and conserve moisture. Contrary to popular belief, prairies are actually very shady at ground level (in regards to new plant growth) because the thick mass of plants keep the underlying earth completely covered. This helps to prevent non-prairie species from growing. Some prairie areas are pockmarked with "prairie potholes". These small lakes and marshes are vital to the survival of many species of animals, especially waterfowl and other birds.

What are some of the plants we might find on River Bend's prairie?

Native Grasses:
big bluestem
Indian grass
switch grass
side oats gramma
cord grass

Non-natives grasses:
brome grass
timothy grass
foxtail grasses

Flowers:
coneflowers
bergamot
black-eyed susan
yarrow
asters
rattlesnake master
compass plant
bottle gentian
Lead plant
prairie clovers

Visit River Bend's prairie flora web page!!!

What are some of the animals we might find on River Bend's prairie?

Still present at River Bend: White-tailed deer ducks and geese pheasants pocket gophers deer/white-footed mice tiger salamander red fox meadow vole cottontail rabbit meadowlark	Extirpated (no longer here): bison elk plains grizzly bear sandhill crane pronghorn antelope prairie dog black-footed ferret
Learn more about these animals at enature.com

What happened to Minnesota’s prairies?

Prairies used to cover one-fourth of Minnesota, but the rich prairie soils have made excellent farmland. Some prairies not converted to crops or grazing have been protected from the fire that used to keep trees from growing, and thus have turned into forests. Only about 1% of Minnesota’s original prairies remain.

How can prairies be protected or restored?

A number of organizations work hard to purchase and save prairies. Prairie plants and animals are often reintroduced, and burns are help periodically to help eliminate tree growth and alien invasion. The prairie at River Bend is a restored prairie. It was once a prairie, was converted to crop land, and now has been planted with prairie grasses and other plants. We burn it every few years to help generate new growth and exclude alien vegetation and trees.

How does River Bend define "Biome?"

Regions of the Earth that have a unique interdependent community of plants, animals, soils, and weather patterns.

What do we need to remember when we visit River Bend?

The quieter we are, the better.
Listen to your leader.
Raise your hand if you have something to say.
Do not pick anything unless given permission.
Stay where you leader asks you to be..
Be respectful of nature - and of each other!

River Bend's prairie through the seasons

River Bend's prairie changes significantly from season to season. Most surprising to visitors is that most flowers don't come into full bloom until late summer and we'll be watching how the prairie prepares for fall. See what other differences you can discover (click to enlarge):

spring

early summer

late summer

fall

winter

Prairie burns at River Bend

The tall grass prairie didn't stay prairie without the help of "destructive" forces that eliminated trees and invading species but enabled native prairie species to thrive. Fire is the most obvious force, but herd of bison, swarms of insects, and extreme weather are other example of natural factors that help to keep a prairie growing strong.

River Bend works with various agencies to hold prairie burns on portions of our prairie from time to time, often as training or practice burns for the agency's firefighters. Roadsides for Wildlife, Minnesota Conservation Corps, The Nature Conservancy, the local Faribault Fire Department, and River Bend's own staff and volunteers have all been involved in burns at River Bend at one time or another.

Here are a few scenes from River Bend's past prairie burns (click to enlarge):

2008 data reports

(download graphing example and template)

Date school weather	Sept. 8 Lincoln cloudy, windy		Sept. 9 Roosevelt sunny, windy		Sept. 12 DMCS		Sept. 15 Jefferson		Sept. 29 Nerst & FLS
	a.m.	p.m.	a.m.	p.m.	a.m.	p.m.	Jefferson	FLS	a.m.	p.m.
Air Temp	53	62	48	67		62	54	62	59	65
Trail Temp	57	75	63	85		67	60	75	60	76
Plant Temp	55	67	60	75		62	56	69	57	71
Soil Temp	61	61	63	63		61	57	62	63	62

Plants	Still in Summer form (averages): big bluestem all Indian grass 3/4 goldenrods all compass plant 1/2 coneflower 1/4 lead plant 1/4		Still in Summer form (averages): big bluestem all Indian grass 3/4 goldenrods all compass plant 3/4 rattlesnake master 1/2 coneflower 1/2 side oats 3/4		Still in Summer form (averages): big bluestem 3/4 Indian grass all goldenrods 3/4 milkweed 1/2 daisy flea bane 1/2 coneflower 1/2		Still in Summer form (averages): big bluestem 3/4 Indian grass 3/4 goldenrods 3/4 milkweed 1/4 daisy flea bane 1/2 coneflower 1/2		Still in Summer form (averages): big bluestem 3/4 Indian grass all goldenrods 1/4 side-oats grama all daisy flea ban 1/2 coneflower 1/4 rattlesnake master 1/2

Insects and other animals noted	ants, flies, leatherwings, bees, lady bugs, grasshoppers, moths, caterpillars, beetles, and crickets		grasshoppers, flies, dragonflies, bees, spiders, aphids, leatherwings, a frog, a bluejay, moths, ladybugs, and caterpillars		grasshoppers, leatherwings, plant mites, spiders, ladybugs, snake, frog, ants, flies, beetles, blue jay, and hawk		snake, bees, beetles, leatherwings, grasshoppers, stinkbugs, spiders, woodpecker, leaf hoppers, and caterpillars		hawk, stink bugs, beetles, spiders, grasshoppers, aphids, caterpillars, turkey vultures, and salamander

Some suggested pre- or post-visit activities

Send us your ideas here!

Graph/chart the results of research at River Bend.
Monitor the results from other classes posted on this site to include in graphing so as to track changes on the prairie throughout the season. Feel free to use sample Excel spreadsheet template or view a spreadsheet sample to see how it might turn out.
Research other types of prairies and grasslands, in North America and around the globe.
Research the history of animals that are rare or no longer found on most prairies (examples: black-footed ferret, bison), the reasons behind the loss of these species, and the unique needs they have for a prairie to sustain them.