At one time there were 18 million acres of prairie in Minnesota, but less than 150,000 acres remain today. The goal of this unit is to share with the students the prairie as an active habitat, and discuss its nature, history, and forms of life. Chapter four in the Discover Science fourth grade textbook can be taught in conjunction with this unit. A prairie is a habitat with a wide array of certain mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, grasses, flowers, fungi, a few specialized trees, and the soil on which these things live and grow. Prairies are essential for the survival of many plants and animals.
Prairies generally consist of native plants, rather than alien plants.
Most grasslands today have predominantly alien plants brought over from other countries, which later replaced native plants as the ground was disturbed or cultivated. Prairie grasses tend to have deeper roots than most plants, and tend to grow in clumps . These adaptations allow the plants to better withstand the drought and fire conditions common on the prairie. This helps to prevent non-prairie species from growing. These small lakes and marshes are vital to the survival of many species of animals, especially waterfowl and other birds.