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The Terms for Temperate Grasslands

The most common terms used in different parts of the world to refer to temperate grasslands are prairie, steppes, pampas, veld, tablelands and puszta. As temperate grasslands are defined as those regions where grass creates the dominant vegetation, there is less bio-diversity to be found in a grassland than in environments such as rain forests, creating a more fragile balance. Most temperate grasslands have rich soil and many acres are now in use as farmland.

North American Prairie
- Much of the North American Prairie has be converted to farmland.
  
  The North American prairie stretches through much of the central United States and into Canada. Most of the rainfall happens in late spring and early summer with an annual average of around 20 to 35 inches or about 50.8 to 88.9cm. The prairie has a greater climate fluctuation than most regions of North America, with summer high temperatures sometimes reaching above 100 degrees and winter lows that can drop below -40 degrees.
The Russian Steppes
- Mention of the Russian steppes often call forth images of Cossacks.
  
  The Russian steppes stretch from the Ukraine eastward through Russia and Mongolia into Asia. Native species included bison, wild horse and antelope. Przewalski's Horse, almost extinct, has been successfully bred in captivity and is being reintroduced to the steppes. Mole rats are native to this region. Polecats and other members of the weasel family make up most of the larger existing carnivores.
South American Pampas
- The giant anteater lives in forests as well as grasslands.
  
  Like other temperate grasslands the South American Pampas are characterized by rich soil where larger flora like trees and bushes are periodically kept in check by drought and fire. With the exception of the ombu tree, which has a fire-resistant trunk, contains water-storage tissue, periodic fires destroy trees which would normally establish themselves in the rich soil. Much of this region is under cultivation, other areas are used for grazing animals.
The African Veldt
- The elephant is one species affected by the growth of agriculture in Africa.
  
  The veldt of South Africa like the other temperate grassland of the world is characterized by rich soil, swathes of grass and large grazing animals. As with other grasslands throughout the world the agricultural potential has resulted in the reduction of native species of plants and animals. The United Nations is currently studying and working on solutions to preserve the native species, while assisting the people of the area to maximize the crop potential of their region.
Hungarian Puszta
- The Puszta is a plateau region which stretches from the Carpathian mountains and along the Tisza River. Because of its location in Central Europe, it has been an important agricultural district for hundreds of years. In 1973, the Hungarian government created the National Park Hortobágy, which is the largest protected area and largest grassland in Central Europe, providing a sanctuary for bio-diversity which otherwise may have been lost to that part of the world.
The Austrailian Grasslands and Tablelands
- With long hind legs, the kangaroo is well-adapted to open grasslands.
  
  The Australian Grasslands and Tablelands are one of the most unique temperate grasslands in the world. Due to isolation from the migration of species that occurred elsewhere between the continents, animals like the kangaroo developed to fill the niches that elsewhere are occupied by more closely related species, such as deer, antelopes and bison. The Australian government is working hard to preserve the unique character of this land and native species.

Nature