Adam Wescott on: Temperate Grasslands

Temperate grasslands can be found in the veldts of South Africa, the puszta of Hungary, the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay and the plains of North America. The temperature of temperate grasslands is more variable than that of its cousin, savanna grasslands: summer temperatures can be over 38 Celsius while winter temperatures can be as low as -40 Celsius. Precipitation usually occurs in late spring and early summer, and averages about 50.8 to 88.9 cm a year. Examples of aquatic ecosystems include rivers and streams. Temperate grasslands can generally be divided into praries, home to tall grasses, and steppes, home to short grasses.


The dominant vegetation in temperate grasslands are, predictably, grasses. Large trees and shrubs are absent. Taller grasses can be found in wetter regions. Plants that grow in temperate grasslands have deep roots that allow them to survive drought, extreme heat and cold and fire. These factors also prevent trees from invading and becoming established. These roots, combined with the accumulation of dead leaves during the winter, produce extremely rich soil.


Many species are known to inhabit temperate grasslands. The few trees that can be found include cottonwoods, oaks and willows. Flowers are plentiful and include asters, goldenrods and clovers. Fauna includes gazelles, zebras, rhinoceroses and lions, among others. Endangered species include the Asian elephant and the black-footed ferret.


Temperate grasslands have been greatly affected by human activity. Due to the incredible richness of the soil, the majority of prarie regions have been turned into farms and grazing land. Similarly, steppes have been affected by overgrazing, by plowing and by excess salts left behind by irrigation waters. Sometimes soil is made loose enough by plowing that strong winds blow them about, causing dust storms.


There are a multitude of exciting tourism opportunities regarding temperate grasslands. An example: hiking in the high veldt of the Drakkensberg Mountains in South Africa.

SOURCES:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/grasslands.php
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/grassland/grassland.shtml
PICTURES:
http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/1116/50-25d-Chaparral.jpg
http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/1116/50-25e-TempGrasslands.jpg
http://www.bcgrasslands.org/SiteCM/i/upload/4D1A294E52A6F5A728AEEDF2EB446C4E30152243.jpg
http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/dynamic_images/naturelibrary_626/downloads.bbc.co.uk/earth/naturelibrary/assets/t/te/temperate_grasslands_savannas_and_shrublands/temperate_grasslands_savannas_and_shrublands_1.jpg