Content Curator
Grasslands are the areas particularly dominated by grasses. These areas are generally found between deserts and forests. They are not as dry as a desert but also do not contain many plants and bigger trees like a forest. They are continuously covered by small plants and grasses predominantly. Specific plants and animals are found in grasslands. They are mainly located in Central North America, Argentina, the southern portion of Russia etc.
Learn More concepts in Biology
| Table of Content |
Key Takeaways - Grasslands, Shrubs, Transitional Landscapes, Herbs, Forests, Deserts, Temperate and Tropical Grasslands
What is Grassland?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The dry land that is dominated by grass is known as grassland. Grasslands generally do not have giant trees and shrubs, it is due to climatic conditions and several other environmental factors. Grassland is also known as transitional landscapes. Here, herbs and grass dominate. Grasslands are mainly found in areas where there is scarce water and less rainfall to promote the growth of plants.
Grassland also helps in mitigating climate change. The grasslands are found between forests and deserts where no permanent vegetation is found. West of Coalinga and California are famous for their grasslands.
Read Also:
Types of Grasslands
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
There are two types of grasslands namely tropical and temperate grasslands.
Temperate Grasslands
These grasslands are dominated by grass vegetation. In temperate grasslands, there are no shrubs and trees but only herbs and grass. These receive 25 cm to 75 cm of rainfall annually. The temperature in these grasslands varies more during the summer season than in the winter season. They gave extremely hot summers and chilled winters.
Pampas grasslands in Argentina and Uruguay, Shrublands etc are appropriate examples of temperate grasslands.
Tropical Grasslands
The tropical grassland remains warm throughout the year, followed by the dry and wet climate conditions. These receive 50 cm to 130 cm of rainfall. Tropical grasslands are mainly found in Africa, Australia, South America and India. Tropical Grasslands have short plants that are best for hunting.
Savannah grasslands are appropriate examples of tropical grasslands.
Read Also:
Grassland Plants & Animals
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Grasslands are the home to bison, zebras, species of prairie dogs and wild elephants. Grasslands are very significant for local communities as they are dependent on grasslands for livelihood. Along with livelihood, the grasslands also play a crucial role in food production, water filtration, harbouring insects that help in pollination, and reducing pollution with clean air.
There are many animals found in grasslands such as reptiles and mammals. Grasslands are also the home to various plants such as cactus, sunflower, weeds etc.
Read More:
Characteristics of Grasslands
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The important characteristics of grasslands are mentioned below:
- Rainfall / Precipitation: Grasslands require limited rainfall annually. Both tropical and temperate grasslands receive different amounts of rainfall. The precipitation in temperate grasslands is snowy or dew.
- Temperature: The temperature varies according to the season. In summer, the temperature in grasslands can go up to 38º C making it extremely hot and in winter the temperature can drop up to -40º C, leading to chilly winters.
- Regular fire in grasslands: Regular fire in grasslands is very important as it increases the growth of grass in fields but also restricts the growth of trees.
- Poor Vegetation: Less rainfall and dry climate are the cause of poor vegetation in grasslands. Due to poor vegetation, only dry grasses are found in the grasslands and no trees.
Read More:
Things to Remember
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
- Grasslands cover 2/3 land of the world and about 1/4 of Earth's surface.
- Tropical grasslands are found in countries near the equator such as Australia, South Asia, Africa and Northern South America.
- Temperate grasslands are found in the countries situated between the Equator and Pole such as North America, Europe, South Australia, South Africa, South America.
- Major grasslands of India are Alpine moist meadows (Greater Himalayas), Terai Grasslands on Ganga and Brahmaputra plains, Phulmdis (floating grasslands) of Manipur and many more.
- Some species of grasses found in grassland are- purple needlegrass, buffalo grass, wild oats, ryegrass etc.
Read More:
Sample Questions
Ques. What are grasslands? (3 Marks)
Ans. The dry land that is dominated by grass is known as grassland. Grasslands lack giant trees and shrubs, it is due to climatic conditions and several other environmental factors. Grassland is also known as transitional landscapes. Herbs and grass dominate the grasslands. Grasslands are mainly found in areas where there is scarce water and less rainfall to promote the growth of plants.
Ques. Which plants grow in the grasslands? (2 Marks)
Ans. Grasslands flavour a high density of wild plants. Some plants grown in grasslands are as follows-
- Cactus
- Buffalo grass
- Sagebrush
- Asters
- Milkweeds
- Sunflower
Ques. What is an important role of grasslands? (3 Marks)
Ans. Grasslands play an important role for both environment and humans in the following ways:
- Grasslands play an important role in maintaining the climatic balance, reducing pollution.
- They are home to a variety of plants and animals.
- Grasslands act as a source of livelihood for local people in the form of grazing of animals, growing plants etc.
Ques. How many types of grasslands are there? (5 Marks)
Ans. There are two types of grasslands:
- Tropical grasslands - The tropical grasslands remain warm throughout the year, followed by the dry and wet climate conditions. These receive 50 cm to 130 cm of rainfall annually. They are mainly found in Africa, Australia, South America and India. Tropical Grasslands have short plants that are best for hunting.
Example - Savannah Grassland of Africa, Campos grasslands in Brazil
- Temperate grasslands – The temperate grasslands are similar to tropical grasslands but have different climatic conditions. The winters are cold and summers are hot. These receive 25 cm to 75 cm of rainfall annually. Temperate grasslands precipitate in the form of dew and snow.
Example - Steppe grasslands in Asia, Veld grasslands in South Africa
Ques. Give some relevant examples of tropical and temperate grasslands. (2 Marks)
Ans. Some examples are as follows-
- Temperate grasslands - Pampas grasslands in Argentina and Uruguay, Shrublands etc. are appropriate examples of temperate grasslands.
- Tropical grasslands - Savanna grasslands are appropriate examples of tropical grasslands.
Ques. Name some animals found in grasslands? (2 Marks)
Ans. There is a wide range of animals and insects found in grasslands. Creepy crawlies, reptiles live under the ground. Birds and some mammals live on the ground.
Ques. Which grasslands are found in India? (2 Marks)
Ans. There are many grasslands found in India. Some famous grasslands among these are as follows -
- Coastal grasslands
- Riverine alluvial grasslands
- Sub-Himalayan grasslands
- Wet grasslands
Ques. Which states in India are home to the grasslands? (2 Marks)
Ans. Eastern Rajasthan, Western Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir, Haryana and Punjab are some states which have grasslands.
Read Also:
Comments