Temperate Grassland

Gabrielle Bellanco

Geography

• North America: – Great Plains– Southern Canada to Gulf of Mexico – Rocky Mountains to deciduous forests of the

east

• Eurasia:– Eastern Europe to Eastern China

• Other locations:– Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, New Zealand, Africa

Climate

• 300 to 1000mm of precipitation annually (often snow)– Droughts lasting several years may

occur

• Hot summers and cold winters

Human Impact

• Agriculture:– 47% converted – Introduction of inorganic fertilizers– Overgrazed– Has led to a loss of as much as 35% to

40% of organic matter in just 40 years of cultivation

Plants

• Largely grass and flowers with little trees or shrubs

Animals

• Large grazers• Small prairie animals • Carnivores