Question

Describe different types of grasslands.

Answer 1

Hint: Grasslands are a type of biome or a community of plants that have common characteristics specifically for the environment they survive in. In the case of grasslands, they are characterised by tall grasses and large shrubs or trees. Grasslands account for over 25% of the world’s land area. These biomes receive enough rainfall in a year to support large grasses and some trees. They are found in every continent except Antarctica.

Complete step by step solution:
Features of grassland are influenced by the climate and the soil. There two main kinds of grasslands are—tropical and temperate.
Tropical grasslands grow in a tropical climate which is warmer than temperate climates and are geographically located closer to the equator. The temperature is more or less constant throughout the year and it receives average precipitation between 25-60 inches annually. The rainfall is concentrated in six to eight months every year while the other months are dry. The soil in tropical grasslands is porous and allows rapid drainage of water. It is not nutritious for agriculture and thus the predominant vegetation is tall coarse grass and small plants with a few scattered deciduous trees. Examples of tropical grasslands include Savanna in East Africa, Campos in Brazil and Linos in Venezuela.
Temperate grasslands are found in latitudes away from the equator in a more pleasant climate. These areas also have recognisable seasons and the amount of precipitation is low. This generally leads to seasonal droughts and occasional fires. The soil is deeper and more fertile. Due to its nutrient-rich features, it is perfect for short luscious grass. Shrubs and trees are rarely found in these grasslands (except in river valleys) due to overgrazing. Examples of temperate grasslands include Pampas in Argentina, Prairies in North America, Veld in South Africa, Steppe in central Asia and Down in Australia.

Note: Grasslands serve as the transition between deserts and forests and have deep and fertile soil. They are ideal for growing crops and can be widely used as pasture lands for animals. They are less susceptible to natural disasters like wildfires and droughts. Despite its usefulness, due to overgrazing, clearing, unsustainable agricultural activities, grasslands are being lost. Grasslands areas in most continents are also actively being converted for agricultural and industrial uses.