Pastures with scattered native trees constitute habitat for many native and resident bird species. Photo: David. Pastures and Agricultural Lands Extensive areas of pastures and agricultural lands occur in southeastern Brazil and northern Argentina. These pastures likely were native grasslands prior to the planting of more productive grasses and their conversion to pasture for cattle […]
Riparian thickets along the Camana-Arequipa River. Photo: David Samata. Riparian Thickets Riparian thickets occupy the banks and floodplain of streams and rivers. This habitat type is composed of shrubs, scrub, grasses, and small trees. Riparian thickets grow in the desert areas and are bordered by no vegetation or vegetation adapted to dry conditions. On the dry
River island scrub growing on young river island on the Amazon River. River Island Scrub The river island scrub refers to vegetation that grows on newly formed sandbars and islands along the ever-changing Amazonian rivers. Sandbars can grow wider and become an island for many years or can also disappear after weeks of formation or after
Paramo grasslands in Northwest Peru. Photo: Alexander More. Paramo Grasslands Unlike the puna grasslands, the paramo grasslands are rather humid grasslands mixed with shrubby vegetation. The Paramo Grasslands occur above treeline and above the montane evergreen forest and elfin forests. Scattered small lakes and boggy depressions are common features in Paramo habitats. Paramo grasslands occur
Typical riverine sand beach showing some of the first colonizing shrubs. Photo: Diego Calderon. Riverine Sand Beaches Riverine sand beaches occur largely in whitewater Amazonian rivers, which are subject to changes in water levels of up to 7 meter between the wet and dry seasons. During the dry season, extensive sandbars are exposed along the
Puna grasslands in the Andes of Cusco-Peru. Photo: Nestor Ccacya. Puna Grasslands The puna grasslands occupy the higher mountain slopes and plains of the Andes from northern Peru south to northern Argentina and Chile. Puna grasslands are found generally above 3,500 meters. They are largely dry grasslands but vary in floristic composition from pure grass
Northern temperate grasslands in Mexico. Photo: Ken Lund. Northern Temperate Grasslands The northern temperate grasslands occupy large areas of northern and central Mexico at elevations of about 1,100 to 2,300 meters. Floristic composition varies with elevation and location. Unfortunately, the northern temperate grasslands have been heavily impacted by overgrazing and excessive fire. Large areas of
Southern temperate grasslands in La Pampa, Argentina. Southern Temperate Grasslands Southern temperate grasslands include several types of grasslands. This habitat type covered much of extreme southeastern Brazil in southern Rio Grande dos Sul, Uruguay, and Northern Argentina, extending locally to Tierra del Fuego. Conversion of the Pampas to pastureland was nearly complete by the early
Panoramic view of a habitat classified as low, seasonally wet grasslands in the Venezuelan Llanos. Photo: Araguato. Low, Seasonally Wet Grasslands Low, seasonally wet grasslands include a variety of grassland types, which occur in well-drained slightly higher grounds. These type of grasslands are wet but become hard and dry during the dry season. Low seasonally
Campo grasslands. Photo: Alessandra-Fidelis Campo Grasslands Campo grasslands are upland grasslands with little or no woody vegetation. This habitat type occurs locally in the Brazilian and Guianan shields. The complexity and grass diversity of these grasslands vary from region to region. Grassland savannas occur in northern Venezuela and northeastern Colombia (Llanos) Southeastern Venezuela (Gran Sabana), the
