life in temperate grasslands Flashcards
what are temperate grasslands
regions where dominant vegetation consists of grasses and shrubs
where are temperate grasslands found
in middle latitudes in regions with semi-arid continental climate
characteristic feature of grasslands and the reason
abscence of trees- climate and soil, some scientists claim due to large scale deforestation
where is the prairie found
USA and Canada between 40 and 55 degrees N
what is the prairie
expanse of largely flat ground covered in lush grass
what is surrounding the prairie
it is flanked by the rockies in the west and the Appalachian mountains in the east
in the USA what states does the prairie cover and which river is it drained by
it is drained by the river Mississippi. it spread over the states of North Dakota South Dakota, Kansas Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Montana, Iowa and Wisconsin
which river is the canadian prairie drained by and over what provinces does it extend
Saskatchewan river- Saskatchewan Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta
which place is called the gateway to the prairies
winnipeg in canada
what can the north American prairie be divided into
tallgrass prairie, mixed and shortgrass prairie
what is the climate like in the prairies in summer
known for20 degree celcius
what is climate like in prairie in winter
minus 20 degree celcius
what are winters like in Winnipeg, Canada
severe dropping to minus 34 celsius with snow
what is rainfall like in the prairie
moderate with about 50 cm annually
how is the wind in the prairie
absence of trees or any barriers result in wind blowing with great force and chinook blowinf from the rockies
what is the plantlife in the prairie
various grasses small patches of woodland where there is sufficient warmth and water
what trees are found in the prairie
willows alders and poplars
what limits the number of trees in the prairie
fire
what animal life is present in the prairie
bison, badger, coyote, prairie dog, rabbit and gopher
what is the population like in the prairies and what is the main occupation
sparsely populated with agriculture the main occupation
what place is called the granary of the world and why
the prairie because it has such a high production of food grain
what are the ideal conditions for modern and scientific methods of cultivation
50cm of rain and rich fertile soil
what methods and tools do the wheat farms in the prairies use
scientifically treated seeds and machinery like seed drills, weeders, cutters, thrashers ,harvesters, etc
in hilly regions what method of farming is practiced
contour ploughing or terrace farming
in flat regions what kind of farming is practiced
strip cropping
what crops are produced in the prairie
wheat, maize, cotton, oats, barley, soya bean, potato
what is the largest corn growing redion
prairie
what has lead to the rise of food processing industries in the prairies
high productivity of agriculture and diary
what is a ranch
a large cattle farm
what deposits are the prairies rich in
coal and iron
how is the mined materials transported
mainly by rails but also by inland water ways
what are the importantcities in the prairies
chicago indianapolis, minneapolis , Kansas city and denver in USA. winnipeg edmenton, clagary and saskatoon
what is a veldt
the temperate grassland in south africa
in which hemisphere does the veldt lay in
southern
at what level is the veldt found
600-1100m over mean sea level
where does the veldt lie
25 to 37 degree latitiude
what is the veldt surrounded by
Drakensberg mountain in the east and the Kalahari desert in the west
by what river is the veldt drained by
orange and Limpopo rivers
what part of africa does the veldt cover
south africa
what are the summers like in the veldt
short warm and wet. most rainfall occurs netween november and feb. warm ocean currents
what is the temp of Johannesburg during summer
mean of 20 degrees thanks to indian ocean
how does rainfall decrease
south to north, east to west
what are the hottest months in the veldt
DECENBER AND JAN
how are winters in the veldt
cold and dry. 5-15 degrees. can drop to freezing levels at night
how is the temp at the high veldt
cool throughout the year
why is the vegetation limited in the veldt
semi-arid conditions
what is the plant life like in the veldt
sporadic though widespread. red grass grown in the bush veldt. acacia and maroola spotted along streams in high veldt
what is the bush veldt
lower altitudes
what animals are found in the veldt
giraffe, black rhinos, antelopes, leopards, lions and cheetahs
what is the main occupation of people in the veldt
agriculture, cattle rearing and mining
what is mixed farming
mixed farming is cultivating crops and rearing cattle on the same farm
what is extensive agriculture
agriculture practiced on vast land with machines and few people
what crops are grown on a veldt
maize, wheat, cucumber, potato, oats, barley, tobacco, cocoa, cotton
why is the veldt more suited for cattle rearing
soil is not fertile
what sheep are reared in the veldt
angora for wool leather and wheat. merino for it’s fine and warm wool
in what regions are cattle rearing practiced large scale
rainy and warm supporting the diary industry
what minerals is the veldt rich in
coal, iron, gold, diamonds
where is gold mined
Witwatersrand a mountain ridgw
what place is known for it’s diamond mines
Kimberley
