LIFE IN TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS

CONTENTS
 Introduction The prairies  Velds

Grassland can be defined as a region where grasses form the dominant type of plant life. Grasslands make up
almost a quarter of the total land surface. The types of plants that grow here greatly depend on what the
climate and soil are like. As climate plays an important role in the formation of grasslands, it is generally
used as a basis to divide the world’s grasslands into two broad categories: those that occur in the temperate
region and those that occur in the tropical regions

1. The temperate grasslands of North America are known as the Prairies.

2. It is a region of flat, gently sloping or hilly land.
3. For the most part, prairies are treeless but, near the low lying plains, flanking river valleys, woodlands can be
found.
4. Tall grass, upto two metres high, dominates, the landscape. It is actually a “sea of grass.”
5. The prairies are bound by the Rocky Mountains in the West and the Great Lakes in the East.
6. The prairies cover parts of United States of America and parts of Canada.
7. In the USA, the area is drained by the tributaries of Mississippi and the Canadian prairies are drained by the
tributaries of Saskatchewan Rivers.

 Climate of the Prairies :

1. Being located in the heart of a continent, the climate is of continental type with extreme temperatures.
2. The summers are warm with temperatures of around 20°C, while in winter -20°C has been recorded in
Winnipeg, Canada.
3. In winters a thick blanket of snow covers this region.
4. The annual rainfall is moderate and is ideal for the growth of grass.
5. Due to the absence of the north-south barrier, a local wind "Chinook" blows here.
 Flora and Fauna of the Prairies :
1. Prairies are practically tree-less. Where water is available, trees such as willows, alders and poplars grow.
2. Places that receive rainfall of over 50 cm, are suitable for farming as the soil is fertile.
3. Though the major crop of this area is maize, other crops including potatoes, soybean, cotton and alfa-alfa is
also grown.
4. Areas where rainfall is very little or unreliable, grasses are short and sparse.
5. These areas are suitable for cattle rearing.
6. Large cattle farms called ranches are looked after by sturdy men called cowboys.
7. Bison or the American buffalo is the most important animal of this region.
8. It nearly got extinct due to its indiscriminate hunting and is now a protected species.
9. The other animals found in this region are rabbits, coyotes, gophers and Prairie dog.

 People of the Prairies :

1. The people of this region are very hardworking. They have successfully harnessed technology to utilise their
rich natural resources.
2. Two of the most developed countries in the world - the USA and Canada are located in this region.
3. Scientific methods of cultivation and use of tractors, harvesters and combines has made North America a
surplus food producer.
4. The Prairies are also known as the “Granaries of the world,” due to the huge surplus of wheat production.
5. Dairy farming is another major industry. The dairy belt extends from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Coast in
the east. Dairy farming and extensive agriculture both promote setting up of food processing industries.
6. Large mineral deposits particularly coal and iron and a good network of roads, railways and canals in this
region have made it the most industrialised region in the world.

1. The temperate grasslands of South Africa are called the velds.

2. Velds are rolling plateaus with arying heights ranging from 600 m to 1100 m.
3. It is bound by the Drakensburg Mountains on the east. To its west lies the Kalahari desert.
4. On the northeastern part, “high velds” are located that attain a height of more than 1600 m, in some places.
5. The tributaries of rivers Orange and Limpopo drain the region.

 Climate of the Velds :

1. The velds have a mild climate due to the influence of the Indian Ocean.
2. Winters are cold and dry.
3. Temperatures vary between 5°C and 10°C and July is the coldest month.
4. Summers are short and warm.
5. Johannesburg records about 20°C temperature in the summer.
6. The velds receive rainfall mainly in the summer months from November to February. This is mainly because
of the warm ocean currents that wash the shores of the velds.
7. If the rainfall is scanty in the winter months from June till August, drought may occur.
 Flora and fauna of the Velds :
1. The vegetation cover is sparse.
2. Grasses dominate the landscape.
3. Red grass grows in bush velds.
4. In the high velds acacia and maroola are seen to be growing.
5. The animals of the velds are primarily lions, leopards, cheetah and kudu

 People of the Velds :

1. Velds are known for cattle rearing and mining.
2. The soils are not very fertile in the velds due to the presence of discontinuous grasses exposing barren
surface.
3. However where the land is fertile crops are grown.
4. The main crops are maize, wheat, barley, oats and potato.
5. Cash crops like tobacco, sugarcane and cotton are also grown.
6. Sheep rearing is the most important occupation of the people. Sheep is bred mainly for wool and has given
rise to the wool industry in the velds. Merino sheep is a popular species and their wool is very warm.
7. Dairy farming is the next important occupation. Cattle are reared in the warmer and wetter regions and the
dairy products like butter, cheese are produced for both domestic supply and also for export.
8. The velds have rich reserve of minerals. Iron and steel industry has developed where coal and iron are
present.
9. Gold and diamond mining are major occupations of people of this region. Johannesburg is known for being
the gold capital of the world. Kimberley is famous for its diamond mines. Mining of diamond and gold in
South Africa led to the establishment of trade ties with Britain and gradually South Africa became a British
Colony.
10. This mineral rich area has a well-developed network of transport.
 EXERCISE

Q.1 Which city is associated with diamond

1. Chinook : A warm wind which blows down industry?
the Rockies and raises the winter temperature (A) Durban (B) Cape Town
in the Prairies. (C) Kimberley (D) None
2. Ranches: Very large farms on which beef
cattle are reared. Q.2 The Drakensburg mountains are towards the
3. Combine Harvester : A machine which can east of the
reap the crop, thrashes the grain and packs (A) Kalahari (B) Velds
them into sacks. (C) Pampas (D) None
4. Mohair : A fine quality of wool obtained
from the Angora goats. Q.3 Which animal was recklessly hunted and
killed in the Prairies?
(A) Bison (B) Beaver
1. The temperate grasslands enjoy moderate (C) Antelope (D) None
climate with limited rainfall in summer
season. Q.4 Which city in USA, is not in the Prairie
2. Winnipeg in USA is called the gateway to the grasslands?
American Prairies. (A) Chicago (B) Denver
3. The local winds Chinook, generally blows (C) Regina (D) None
during the summer season in the Prairies.
4. In the Velds, the rainfall decreases from south Q.5 Who were the original inhabitants of the
to north and from east to west. Prairie region?
5. The Britishers were the first Europeans to (A) Indians (B) Red Indians
reach and settle in the Veld region. (C) Mexican Indians (D) None

1 The temperate grasslands enjoy ........... 1. Describe the working of a cattle ranch in the
climate with ........... rainfall. Prairies.
2. The temperate grasslands of Europe are 2. What are the various economic activities in
known as the ........... the Prairies? Explain.
3. The warm winds Chinook, blow down 3. Describe the location of the Velds in South
the ........... slopes of ........... mountains. Africa and the Prairies in North America.
4. The sturdy men on the cattle ranches are 4. Write a short account of cattle rearing in the
called the ........... . Veld region.
5. Cattle rearing is mostly done in the ........... 5. Compare the climatic conditions in the Prairie
regions of the Velds. and the Veld grasslands.