A grassland ecosystem will have certain physical factors, the soil, water, and air, that determine what microbes, plants and animals will live there.
The microbes, plants, and animals together with the soil, water and air they live in create the ecosystem.
So an ecosystem determines its inhabitants and the inhabitants determine the ecosystem. It's similar to a community.
How is an ecosystem different from a grassland biome? (a second scientific term commonly used to classify grasslands)
A biome is defined by the major type of vegetation (ie grasses or trees or water) and is mainly classified by climate. Climate also determines the plants and animals in any region. So biomes then are areas with similar climate and therefore similar plants and animals.
We seldom hear the word biome because they are more often referred to by common local terms such as, prairie.
An ecosystem is defined by the living organisms (microbes, plants and animals) functioning together in the area they live in (soil, water and air).
They could be described as one level down from a biome. A biome is a larger overview and by zooming down we can take a look at an ecosystem.
If we zoomed in still further we would discover the grassland habitat within the grassland ecosystem.
Ranching and Grassland Ecosystems
Admittedly, very few ranchers indeed would concern themselves with thoughts of biomes and ecosystems. But why not?
Within the larger ecosystem community there can be numerous smaller ones. There may be a wetland ecosystem or woodlot ecosystem or the ecosystem could vary depending on the grassland type and climate. Arid or temperate grasslands have vastly different ecosystems than tropical grasslands.
Ecosystems function as a whole unit. Every part and parcel is critical to maintaining the balance. So when we place a few hundred head of sheep or cattle in a pasture of grass we need to pay attention to what the affect is and at least know if we're helping or hindering.
Our goal is healthy land, healthy livestock and making a dollar. When it comes right down to it, the resource that allows us to do so is the land and the grass. In the long run, without grass, no one wins.
Grasslands can be influenced and altered over time. Perhaps by giving this even rudimentary thought we can obtain a view of the bigger picture, knowledge of our role in altering grasslands, and how this affects livestock, land, sustainability, and ultimately profit.
We can see evidence of human altered ecosystems all over planet earth. And sadly our success rate in the no-one-wins department is pretty high.
As ranchers utilizing the grass for our livelihoods, our goals, at the very least, need to take the grassland ecosystem into consideration.
Within the larger ecosystem community there can be numerous smaller ones. There may be a wetland ecosystem or woodlot ecosystem or the ecosystem could vary depending on the grassland type and climate. Arid or temperate grasslands have vastly different ecosystems than tropical grasslands.