Grassland Communities And Habitats

Each Grassland Community and Habitat description includes a list of representative species. They are species that rely on the community for all or a large part of their life cycle. The lists do not include every species that uses the community, nor all those that you might see on a visit to that area. There are also links to references and other web sites where you can find out more about species that interest you.

Open Grasslands

Open Grasslands are open areas where grasses or grass-like plants are the dominant vegetation and where there are few trees or shrubs. Grasses came to dominate over other species, such as trees, because they are better able to thrive in hot and dry conditions. They take advantage of moisture in the soil in spring and have long roots to reach water well below the surface.

Rocky Talus Slope and Rock Outcrop

These rocky, dry communities are found throughout the grasslands at all elevations and provide important habitat features for many creatures. In places where their steep slopes face towards the sun the rocks absorb heat during the day and stay warm through the night, creating a warmer area for cold-blooded animals such as snakes, insects and scorpions.

Riparian

Riparian areas are a common, green feature in grasslands along the edges of streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands. This moist greeb zone, between the wet aquatic area and the dry upland, has a rich diversity of plants and animals. Riparian areas provide protection for aquatic areas, acting as a windbreak above ground and as a filter below ground. They are also a source of valuable habitat and protection for a variety of animals.

Wetland

Wetland areas are common in the rolling landscape of British Columbia’s grasslands and are critical to the survival of many species, and especially waterfowl. 108 species of birds, 41 species of mammals, nine species of amphibians and four species of reptiles depend on the wetlands of the interior of BC for their survival.

Ponds and Lakes

Ponds and lakes are larger and deeper than wetlands. They are bodies of open water that may be completely surrounded by open grasslands, but often have areas of floating vegetation, wetlands and riparian areas along their shoreline. Ponds and lakes come in all shapes, sizes, and depths, filling the hollows left in the landscape after the ice sheet melted.

Gully

Gullies are another distinct part of the varied grasslands landscape. Many gullies were formed by ancient rivers that flowed across the landscape after the ice retreated 10,000 years ago. Now that water is largely gone but the narrow valleys with steep walls remain to provide special growing conditions for plants and habitats for animals.

Aspen Stand

Aspen stands occur in moist seepage areas of the cooler middle and upper grasslands, often in association with small ponds and wetlands, but also in swales where the grasslands meet the forest. Grasses, shrubs and a wide variety of flowering plants grow among the Trembling Aspen trees, providing habitat for many small animals and protection for larger species.

Open Coniferous Forest

Open Coniferous Forests of ponderosa pine grow adjacent to the grasslands where the amount of moisture available in the soil is enough to support trees as well as grasses. Grasslands and forest mix with each other, forming a mosaic and giving a parkland appearance to the landscape.

Closed Coniferous Patch

Closed coniferous patches are common on north-facing slopes and other areas in the open grasslands where evapotranspiration and temperatures are lower, and soils are well-drained. The amount of available moisture in the soils in these areas is greater than in the surrounding grasslands, which allows trees to become established and thrive.

Want to find out more?
Click on a community in the cross section diagram at the top of the page.

Photos:
Kristi Iverson (Rocky talus slope)
Anna Roberts (Riparian)
Don Blum (Aspen stand)
Don Gayton (Open coniferous forest)