Temperate Grasslands

The Most Awesome Biome

Global Distribution

• The Prairie in the USA• The Pampas of South America• The Steppes of Eurasia

9 countries mostly: Canada, United States, Russia, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Australia and South Africa.

Covers 35% of land on Earth

Climate Characteristics

• Continental Climates of Dry Subtropical Climates• Elevation is usually below 2000 ft, except in

equatorial climes• Temperature range: Anywhere from -40° F in

winter to around 70° F in summer• Precipitation– temperate grasslands: 10-30 inches per year– tropical and sub-tropical grasslands: 25-60 inches

per year.

Species

Indigenous Peoples

• Tribal• Hunter-Gatherers• Herders

Major Human Impacts

• 41% have been converted to agriculture

• 6% to urbanization

Solutions

• The IUCN/WCPA Grassland Protected Areas Task Force – to facilitate the protection of 10% of the Temperate Grasslands biome by 2013

• The Temperate Grasslands Conservation Initiative - to increase international level of cooperation for and communication about the conservation and protection of temperate grasslands

Natural Resources

• Vegetation• Livestock• Soil• Nothing exciting

High/Low NPP?

• Low• Around 550 g C/m²/yr

Sources

• blueplanetbiomes.org• bcgrasslands.org