https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7 Sagebrush Shrub Steppe en-us 2019-02-08 19:28:59 UTC 2023-03-09 14:09:33 UTC hello@padlet.com 746041 https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/329381281 Sagebrush Shrub Steppe is an ecosystem filled with lots of bushes called Sagebrush. The land is basically grassland because of the abundance of plants, bushes everywhere. This plant can be found in Nevada, Utah, Idaho Oregon and small part of California. This plant can survive where many others can't. It uses its deep roots to tap into water and nutrients to get it's energy. It even has the ability to accomplish photosynthesis under very low levels of light. Abundance of sagebrush is like a community center, providing food, shelter and even dance space to the residence that lives there. Animals like sage sparrow, sagebrush lizard and sagebrush vole live in this environment and are heavily depended on sagebrush. The climate for sagebrush steppe and sagebrush shrub land vegetation is semiarid, temperate and continental. In Nevada, the average high temperature in sagebrush (March-June) (the period of peak plant growth), is 2.8-3.4°C (5-6°F) cooler than in sagebrush shrub land.]]> 2019-02-08 19:35:42 UTC https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/329381281 746041 https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330048587 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/74520568807495693/visual-search/?x=16&y=16&w=530&h=671

Works Cited:
Source 1: Case Study, Exploring Environmental Issues: Biodiversity
Source 2: https://wrangle.org/ecotype/north-american-sagebrush-steppe-and-shrubland
Source 3:
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/erosion]]> 2019-02-11 19:13:17 UTC https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330048587 746041 https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330055594 Pronghorn rely on sagebrush for about 90 percent of the food they consume. Sagebrush lizard, Sagebrush vole rely on eating sagebrush and the grasses around it. Sage Sparrows and Brewer's Sparrow build their nest in sagebrush. Sagebrush serve as a protection plant for the Mule deer to hide their fawns against predators. Sage Grouse also find shelter from the harsh weather in sagebrush areas. Lizard, badger, snakes, bats all prey on these plant eaters/ primary consumers. Then these small predators are eaten by larger predators like coyotes and even a mountain lion. Raptors are also drawn to the diversity of the small mammals and birds that live in that area. Sagebrush not only benefit the primary consumers but the whole energy pyramid, made of different types of animals also depend on it. ]]> 2019-02-11 19:25:24 UTC https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330055594 746041 https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330070450 Sagebrush, I believe is a keystone species because of how it helps numerous animals. It not only shelters many animals but also provides the perfect spot for male sage grouses to perform their annual mating dances. Many species of animals rely on it for their diet. It plays an important ecological function by stabilizing soils and preventing erosion (which is  the gradual destruction or diminution of something, in this case would be land). ]]> 2019-02-11 19:52:08 UTC https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330070450 746041 https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330523965 Our new species, which has arrived in this area is called Cheatgrass or also known as Downy Brome. This species is originally from the Mediterranean region and got reduced in packing materials or maybe seed contaminant during the 1800's. This plant can easily thrive on land which has been disturbed by cattle grazing, farming or other uses, Cheatgrass is hardy and has sharp-edged seed clusters which can injure many animals. ]]> 2019-02-12 19:26:42 UTC https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330523965 746041 https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330529136 Since this new species can grow rapidly, i think it is going to take up all the space and prevent Sagebrush from flourishing in it's natural environment. When the Sagebrush would stop growing or it's population getting declined in compared to the Cheatgrass, it will harm many animals. Mule deer wouldn't be able to hide their young ones from the predators and if the predators can always, easily spot the fawns then the mule deer birth rate will start to decrease which can affect their whole population in general. If there are less Mule deer it would become harder for bigger predators to hunt and get their energy. Many animals can't even go near Cheatgrass because it has sharp-edged seed clusters all around it. For example male sage grouses wouldn't be able to attract a mate by performing their ritual dance and their chances of survival decreases a well. All of these animals are somehow getting harmed because of the introduction of Cheatgrass in the environment. But there is one species that would be benefiting from all this, that would be the Cheatgrass, itself. For Cheatgrass, the environment is perfect and it is getting all the essentials it needs, in order to truly thrive in the wild (even though, other species are getting harmed from it). ]]> 2019-02-12 19:35:48 UTC https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330529136 746041 https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330536008 In the food web, the Cheatgrass is going to make it really hard for other plants to grow since it grows rapidly and have no natural predators/consumers harming it thus it will have a better chance of surviving when compared to other species of plants. Since there would be less producers (sagebrush) for animals (primary consumers) to eat, the population of herbivores is going to start to decrease. When there is less prey for the predators, it will will make it extremely hard for them to hunt, thus jeopardizing their future. When one level of the tropic level/energy pyramid gets harmed all of the levels above it, also get affected in a negative way, making all the species vulnerable. If the species don't evolve or are not able to cope with the changes in their environment they will all die, leading them to extinction. If one species die out it could also create a possibility for other species dying out, who are (or once were) were heavily dependent on that species.]]> 2019-02-12 19:49:36 UTC https://padlet.com/746041/sd2q1114cp7/wish/330536008