# data[].attributes.body
Wild Corn

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Below the soil of a diverse grassland area you'll find a jungle of plant roots. It is also home to a wide variety of bacteria and fungi, of which some are pathogenic and looking for a host in the tangle of roots. It appears that this is much more difficult when there is a larger diversity of plants as the host plant is more able to hide among the varied crowd. Greater plant diversity therefore results in fewer diseased plants and more productivity. Personal professor in Plant Ecology Liesje Mommer will be using a VIDI subsidy to look into the mechanisms behind this phenomenon.

"Quite a lot is known about the interaction between certain fungi and plant varieties - especially agricultural crops, and particularly within the molecular framework," says Mommer. "But this does not apply to the relations between multiple fungi and plant varieties, or in natural ecosystems. This is a very complex issue."

It has been known for some time that a broader diversity of plants in natural grassland increases productivity; almost as if the plants are cheering each other on. The theory was that every variety occupies its own niche, with more varieties meaning enhanced productivity. In her VENI research, Mommer showed that it is much more complicated than that. She used molecular techniques to quantify the various types of roots (which visually all look alike). This showed that the varieties mainly occupy the top layer of the soil, which allowed her to conclude that niches were not applicable.

Supported by the VIDI subsidy from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) she is now following up on the previous research with two research assistants. "We are examining plant-soil feedback: the plant influences its own micro-organisms on the root - albeit positively or negatively. In a monoculture the pathogens accumulate which affects the productivity. In a diverse mixture there are fewer pathogens and we will now be studying why that is."
Fungi lose their way
The daisy, for instance, is susceptible to the fungus Paraphoma chrysanthemicola. More daisies in the grassland therefore means more of that type of fungus. However, it appears that individual flowers are better at hiding between the roots of other varieties. "A new aspect is whether the daisy is better at hiding between grass varieties or between the roots of plants that are more closely related. From the perspective of the fungus we could ask ourselves: is it the density of the roots that makes it harder for the fungus to find the host plant? Or does the fungus lose its way because various plants secrete different sugars and aromatics?"

Intercropping
Mommer and her team are using pot tests to learn the rules of the game; then she will study whether the same rules apply in the field. The research results may be useful for nature management as well as agriculture. "If you mix the cultivation of varieties, also known as intercropping, the average pathogen reduction is 40 per cent. Nobody knows exactly why. Maybe planting different plants strategically in between the crops could also have a fungus-reducing effect."

Provided by: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.entities[].name
Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Below the soil of a diverse grassland area you'll find a jungle of plant roots. It is also home to a wide variety of bacteria and fungi, of which some are pathogenic and looking for a host in the tangle of roots.

# data[].attributes.headline
What are 2 challenges that people in your biome face because of its climate?

# data[].attributes.subject
What are 2 challenges that people in your biome face because of its climate?

# data[].attributes.body
Jazariah

1. Extreme heats during the summers tend to cause fires which can destroy crops and food for people.

# data[].attributes.headline
Describe the general lifestyle of people who live in your biome (clothing, housing, leisure options).

# data[].attributes.subject
Describe the general lifestyle of people who live in your biome (clothing, housing, leisure options).

# data[].attributes.body
Aneysiah

Alissa
..............................................
*North American Praires

# data[].attributes.headline
What natural resources exist in your biome that could be sold or exported?

# data[].attributes.subject
What natural resources exist in your biome that could be sold or exported?

# data[].attributes.body
Gabe

1. Lumber (Wood)

2. Oil

3. Livestock

# data[].attributes.headline
List 5 human food sources from your biome.

# data[].attributes.subject
List 5 human food sources from your biome.

# data[].attributes.body
Lauren & Vanessa
_______________________________

1 .Corn
2 .Oats
3. Sun Flower Seeds
4. Deer
5.Antelopes
_______________________________
http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/grassland.html_
_______________________________
If you're reading this Mr.Bowman you're the real MVP.
_______________________________

# data[].attributes.headline
Give one example of an animal that has adapted due to the environmental factors in your biome. Explain the adaptation and the reason for it.

# data[].attributes.subject
Give one example of an animal that has adapted due to the environmental factors in your biome. Explain the adaptation and the reason for it.

# data[].attributes.body
Grace
Morgan
-------------------------------------------
Lynx: Lynxs' have adapted to temperate grasslands and prairies. They adapted the skill of catching their own prey, and they eat dead animal carcasses.

Prairie Dog: prairie dog's have adapted to the grassland biome by digging holes to hide from predators, since they have short limbs they have sharp claws and teeth to dig easily, they have pouch like cheeks which they can store food in. Also they mainly eat grass

# data[].attributes.headline
What are five common animals native to your biome?

# data[].attributes.subject
What are five common animals native to your biome?

# data[].attributes.body
Names
-Mason
-Ike
-Seth
______________________

*Aardwolf
*Caterpillar
*Civel
*Gopher
*Cardinal

# data[].attributes.headline
How have plants adapted in your biome? Explain.

# data[].attributes.subject
How have plants adapted in your biome? Explain.

# data[].attributes.body
shay
Sam ;3;

1. Soft stems to be able to survive in the wind
2.Exstensive root system to prevent wild animals from tugging at the plants.

http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/grass.html

# data[].attributes.headline
What are five common plants native to your biome?

# data[].attributes.subject
What are five common plants native to your biome?

# data[].attributes.body
Nevaeh
Micah

Plants:
*Big Bluestem Grass
*Buffalo Grass
*Fleabane
*Indian Grass
*June Grass

Website:
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands_plant_page.htm

# data[].attributes.headline
What are two major environmental threats that exist in your biome? Explain. 

# data[].attributes.subject
What are two major environmental threats that exist in your biome? Explain. 

# data[].attributes.body
Elijah R.
John M.
_______________________________
1. If global warming continues it can change the rain patterns and turn grasslands into deserts.
2. Only one crop might be grown in an area causing disease and pests to easily spread which leads to toxic pesticides.
_______________________________

# data[].attributes.headline
List at least 5 specific places in the world that are examples of your group’s biome.

# data[].attributes.subject
List at least 5 specific places in the world that are examples of your group’s biome.

# data[].attributes.body
xavior

Julian

* Rhossili and south gower coast
*devils dike,west sussex
* Arnside and silver dale,south cumbria and north lancashire
* Murlough national  nature reserve  northern ireland
*minchinhampton  and roborough commons, gloucestershire.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/top-five-grasslands