P.PT on life in the temperate region of geography .detail information of prairies and velds. climate, location, vegetation, wildlife people of prairies and velds
3. Temperate
grassland
Temperate grasslands are a
terrestrial habitat type defined by
the World Wide Fund for Nature. The
dominant vegetation in this biome
consists of grass and/or shrubs.
The climate is temperate and ranges
from semi-arid to semi-humid. The
habitat type differs from tropical
grasslands in the annual
temperature regime as well as the
types of species found here.
4. The Temperate grassland are called Prairies
in North America, Pampas in South
America, Steppes in Eurasia, Velds in
South Africa and Downs in Australia
6. Prairies
Prairies are ecosystems
considered part of the
temperate grasslands, savannas,
and shrublands biome by
ecologists, based on similar
temperate climates, moderate
rainfall, and a composition of
grasses, herbs, and shrubs,
rather than trees, as the
dominant vegetation type.
Temperate grassland regions
include.
7. LocationThe Prairie is located in Canada and
the USA, lying between the
foothills of the rocky mountains in
the west and the great lakes and
Appalachian highlands in the east.
The term includes the area
referred to as the Interior
Lowlands of Canada, the United
States, and Mexico, which includes
all of the Great Plains as well as
the wetter, hillier land to the
east.
8. Climate
The Prairies are located in the heart of a
continent. Therefore, the climate is of
continental type with extreme temperatures.
The summers are warm, with temperatures of
around 200 C and winters are very cold with
– 200C temperatures of around.
You can get this temperature in Winnipeg,
Canada. In winters, a thick blanket of snow
covers this region. It rains moderately in
this region and is ideal for the growth of
grass. Due to the of the north-south
barrier, a local wind ‘Chinook’ blows here.
9. Vegetation
The vegetation is composed primarily of
perennial grasses, with many species of
flowering plants of the pea and
composite families. Most authorities
recognize three basic subtypes of the
prairie: tallgrass prairie; midgrass, or
mixed-grass, prairie; and shortgrass
prairie, or shortgrass plains. Coastal
prairie, Pacific or California prairie,
Palouse prairie, and desert plains
grassland are primarily covered with
combinations of mixed-grass and
shortgrass species.
10. Wildlife
The Prairies Ecozone provides habitat for many Animal species. Intermittent
sloughs and ponds on the plains offer major breeding, adaptation, and
nesting grounds for migratory waterfowl using the Central North American
flyway. More than half of all North American ducks are born in Prairies
Ecozone wetlands. River valleys also offer sheltered habitats important
to wildlife, especially during the harsh winters. The Prairies offer a unique
habitat for the Black-tailed Prairie Dog, while its southern region is home
to the Short-horned Lizard and Western Rattlesnake. Manitoba provides
habitat for Black Bear, Moose, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Beaver, and Red Fox.
Also present are various species of frog and toad. Local fish include
Walleye, Lake Whitefish, and Northern Pike.
11. People
The people of this region are very
industrious. They are successfully using
technology to utilize its natural resources.
The two most developed countries – the USA
and Canada are located in this region.
Agriculture: Scientific methods of cultivation
and use of tractors, harvesters, and
combines have made North America a surplus
producer of food grains. The Prairies are
also called the ‘Granaries of the world’ due
to surplus wheat production.
13. Velds
Veld also spelled veldt, is a type of wide-open rural
landscape in Southern Africa. Particularly, it is a flat
area covered in grass or low scrub, especially in the
countries of South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe,
and Botswana. A certain sub-tropical woodland ecoregion
of Southern Africa has been officially defined as the
Bushveld by the World Wide Fund for Nature. Trees are
found only in a few places—frost, fire and grazing
animals allow grass to grow but prevent the growth of
trees.
14. Location
The veld grasslands of
Africa occur in the most
southern portion of the
continent spreading through
the political boundaries of
South Africa, Lesotho
highlands, Swaziland,
Mozambique, Zimbabwe and
Botswana.
15. Climate
The climate of the veld is highly variable, but
its general pattern is mild winters from May to
September and hot or very hot summers
from November to March, with moderate or
considerable variations in daily temperatures
and abundant sunshine. The Velds have a mild
climate due to the influence of the Indian
Oceans. Winters are cold and dry.
temperature varies between 5°C and 10°C and is
the coldest month. The annual rainfall received
here mainly in the summer months from
November to February.
16. Vegetation
Velds are temperate
grassland, and
grasses both tall
and short, bushes
and scattered trees
form the vegetation
cover of the area.
Trees are
restricted to the
river banks and on
higher slopes.
17. • Major species of mammals, reptiles, and
birds have thinned out due to mass killing,
and the encroachments of farmers
• Reptiles, small mammals, and all birds
except for the ostrich still live in the
wild.
• Small numbers of antelopes called
blesboks still roam the veld grasslands.
• More than 50 species of fish, including
lungfish, are found in the Limpopo River.
Wildlife
18. People
Velds are known for cattle rearing and mining. These
activities are very famous in this region. Maize,
barley, potatoes, and oats are the main crops. You can
find a lot of mineral ores in this region. It has
a rich reserve of minerals. The area has many iron
and steel industries in places where coal and iron
are present. Johannesburg is known as the gold
capital of the world.