Meadows

Most meadows are not natural habitats. The only natural meadows are on mountains where it is too cold and windy for trees to grow. Meadows on lower ground have been made by clearing away woodland then letting livestock like cattle and sheep graze. In time, other plants and animals became adapted to living in a meadow habitat.

Is there just one kind of grass?
No. There are many kinds of grass. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at their flowerheads. These form on a stalk when a meadow is left ungrazed. Many grasses form their flowerheads in late spring or during the summer. Each grass flower looks rather like a grain of rice. In a flowerhead the flowers group together. In the meadow foxtail the flowers pack together on the stalk and make a shape like a miniature foxtail. In another meadow grass called timothy, the flowers pack together to make a cylinder about 1cm across and about 5cm long.

Why are grass flowers small and green?
They are pollinated by the wind. Wind-pollinated flowers do not need the large brightly-coloured petals of insect-pollinated flowers. The grass flowers hang out their stamens which release pollen into the air. Later, when all the pollen has been released, they hang out a feather stigma to catch the pollen from other grass plants.

How can a grass plant breed if its flower stalks are eaten by grazing animals?
A grass plant is capable of sending out side shoots. These grow along the ground or just below it. There are buds on the side shoots. When each bud sprouts it produces roots and leaves. In time each bud forms a new grass plant.

Why are grass plants not trampled to pieces by grazing animals?
Grass plants are made of tough material but they gain extra resistance to trampling by the way they grow together. The side shoots of neighbouring plants form a network which helps to hold the plants together when a hoof presses on them. The roots from all the closely-packed plants grip the soil and hold it in place so that the plants have extra support.

How is a mole adapted for life in the soil?
The mole has fur like velvet which does not let soil stick to it so it can move through its burrows and stay clean. The pointed snout helps the mole push its way through the soil when burrowing. The mole has an extra finger in each hand to make the hands larger and better able to shovel the soil away. The mole has very small eyes, as they are not very important for life in the soil.

Does the mole chase through the soil after worms?
No. It makes a network of tunnels which might be up to 200 metres long. The earthworms fall into the tunnels as they move through the soil and the mole patrols its tunnels regularly and eats the earthworms as they try to get out of the tunnels.

How are rabbits and hares adapted to life in a meadow?
Rabbits and hares are both brown, which blends in with the colours of the meadow and hides them from predators. When first alarmed they both stay motionless making them more difficult to see. This also helps them to remain undetected by predators. They both have large ears which they can turn around without moving their head. Their eyes are set in the sides of their head so that they can see all around. Finally, when attacked, both can run fast.

What will happen to a meadow if it is left ungrazed for many years?
Tree seeds will sprout in it. They will form saplings which in time will grow into trees and a woodland will develop. Other plants which are adapted to woodland conditions will also begin to grow.