Chapter 14. Chapter 14: Grasslands
Why are grasslands important?
Guiding Question 14.2
Why are grasslands important?
Why You Should Care
Grasslands are important for all of the services they provide. Grasslands are the breadbaskets of the planet; they contain most of the arable (suitable for cultivation) land on Earth. They are not usually as productive as forests, meaning that they do not take up as much CO2 by photosynthesis, but they are just as important to humans as the source of most of our food. Healthy grasslands also prevent soil erosion and loss, which is not a trivial matter because soil is formed extremely slowly. Grasslands are also important for biodiversity of plants and animals. Many grassland birds, for example, are becoming threatened worldwide as their habitats dwindle. The greater prairie chicken, a kind of grouse, is one of the most high-profile animals on the United States Endangered Species list.
1.
Which of the following is not an ecosystem service that grasslands provide?
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