Grassland ecology is a branch of ecology that focuses on the study of grasslands, which are ecosystems dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants. Grasslands are found on every continent except Antarctica and cover a significant portion of the Earth's land surface. Researchers in the field of grassland ecology study the interactions between plants, animals, and the physical environment in grassland ecosystems. They investigate issues such as species diversity, nutrient cycling, fire ecology, and the effects of human activities such as agriculture and development on grassland ecosystems. Grasslands are important for biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and providing ecosystem services such as water filtration and erosion control. Research in grassland ecology helps to understand and conserve these valuable ecosystems.