Grasslands: Conservation & Management

5. Where are savannas typically found?

A. Africa, Australia and South America

6. Tillage is primarily used for which of the following?

A. Control weeds and aerate soil

1. What percentage of grasslands are currently protected?

A. Less than eight

3. Which of the following is NOT a reason why cover crops are important?

A. Provides shade to the main crops

3. Cattle may decimate vegetation through overgrazing and their heavy hooves compact soil leading to erosion and loss of sod.

A. True

3. Some climate scientists even believe grasslands may be more efficient and reliable at removing carbon from the atmosphere than forests, because grasslands are more resilient after fires and drought.

A. True

8. When topsoil is lost, the loss is fairly permanent because the process to create just three centimeters of topsoil takes about 1,000 years.

A. True

5. Which of the following qualities determines if an area should be considered a grassland?

B. Amount of precipitation

5. Most grasslands are publicly owned.

B. False

7. Grasslands typically exist between which of the following?

B. Forest and desert

3. Which of the following best describes the Farm Bill?

B. Incentives provided to landowners to conserve grassland habitats

1. Which of the following services was formed by the federal government due to the Dust Bowl?

B. Soil Conservation Service

5. What percentage of the proceeds from the Duck Stamp Act is provided for wetland and waterfowl habitat acquisition?

D. 98

2. Which of the following is NOT a type of grassland?

D. Deciduous

2. Which of the following limits the biodiversity of grasslands?

D. Farming a single variation of a crop

2. Which of the following is NOT a main threat which plagues grasslands today?

D. Lasting effects from Dust Bowl

4. Which of the following agricultural practices ensures an area is NOT overgrazed by moving cattle from pasture to pasture?

D. Rotational grazing

9. Which of the following is the specific mission of the Natural Resources Conservation Service?

D. To conserve soils for agricultural production

4. Select all the services grasslands provide.

Build deep and rich soils Store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere Filter runoff from precipitation Provide very important habitat for wildlife

4. The Dust Bowl lasted how many years?

C. 10 years

1. How much of the earth's land surface is covered with grasslands?

C. 20 to 40 percent

4. Grasslands can be found on every continent EXCEPT which of the following?

C. Antarctica

10. Why do temperate grasslands have the most fertile soil on earth?

C. Grass roots decaying below the surface enriches the soil with nutrients

2. Why is fire considered a common management practice?

C. Suppresses invasive species such as shrubs and trees

1. Which of the following does NOT prevent woody vegetation like shrubs and trees from thriving?

C. Use of pesticides