Arida's Land Ecology

The grasslands biome

Only a small portion of Arida can be considered grassland, or savannah. This biome is a temperate zone where the average annual temperature is about 70 degrees and there is only a small variation between summer and winter due to the 10 degree inclination of the planet's axis.  Rainfall in this biome is moderate, between 5 and 10 inches per year. The grasslands are found primarily around both the Upper and Lower Mammoth Lakes, where lake-effect precipitation on the eastern shores results from evaporation of water from these large inland lakes.

Primary producers

There are three primary producers in the grasslands biome:

The Pilgrim Plant (Originalis pilgrimus);

Asper-Wave; and

Fridella.

Asper-Wave plants have a delicate, yet large root system allowing it to hold and retain large amounts of water when it rains. As a result, it can tolerate relatively long periods of low moisture. Fridella is a grass-like plant about 6 inches tall. The upper leafy area consists of strand-like blades about three inches long. Each blade had a large surface area that allowed it to capture carbon dioxide from the air for photosynthesis.  Pilgrim plants are dispersed throughout the grasslands. They thrive when water is plentiful, but they can tolerate periods of drought. They are about 18 inches tall and their slender stalk and leaf structures are sufficiently strong to withstands the strong winds that occur frequently in the grasslands biome.
Primary Consumer

There is only one primary consumer in the grasslands biome of Arida: Terrafirma

 

 Terrafirma is about 4 feet tall, with most of the height being in its two pairs of legs, which are about 30 inches long. It has a fairly long neck, about 12 inches long, which allows it to bend forward to forage for food. Terrifirma is a herbivore, feeding off grasses and small plants. It has a well developed mouth which it uses for feeding, and quite a sharp beak to allow it to pre-digest the food.
Secondary Consumer

There is only one secondary consumer in the grasslands biome of Arida: the Grass darts

Terrafirma

 

Grass dart

 Grass darts are camouflaged to blend in with the grass so they can hide from their predators and be unseen by their prey. Grass darts are about one foot long, and feed on insects and smaller animals of the grasslands.

 

Energy pyramid

FOOD WEB

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