Types Of Grasslands: Environment
Introduction
In grasslands, grasses rule the landscape. When climate and soil circumstances hinder the growth of trees, they constitute an intermediate stage in the biological succession that covers a portion of the land at all latitudes and altitudes. Grasslands are subject to human pressure since they are typically open and rather flat, and they may be found on every continent but Antarctica. There are two main categories of grasslands: tropical grasslands and temperate grasslands.
What Exactly Are Grasslands?
• An ecosystem known as a grassland is one where grasses and other herbaceous (non-woody) plants predominate.
• Both tropical and temperate areas can have grasslands if the rainfall isn't enough to sustain the growth of trees.
• On the surface of the planet, they take up around 20% of the space.
• The kinds of plants that thrive here are greatly influenced by the climate and soil characteristics.
• In areas with little rainfall and/or low soil depth and quality, grasslands can be found.
• Many trees and plants cannot develop because of the lack of rainfall, however grass can thrive during the monsoon.
Different Names Of Grasslands
Grasslands are called many different names around the world. They are:
Region |
|
Name of Grasslands |
North America |
|
Prairies |
South America |
|
Pampas |
Africa |
|
Savanna |
South Africa |
|
Veld |
Australia |
|
Down |
Eurasia (Europe and Asia) |
|
Steppes |
India |
|
Grassland, Savanna |
Brazil |
|
Campos |
Venezuela |
|
Llanos |
Types of Grasslands
• The two primary categories of grasslands are tropical and temperate.
• Temperate grasslands include the pampas of Argentina, the prairies of North America, and the Eurasian steppes.
• Tropical grasslands include the sweltering savannas of northern Australia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tropical Grasslands
• Tropical Grasslands are found in the interior of the continents, between Tropical Rain Forests and Tropical Deserts.
• All year round in these regions, with dry and wet seasons in between, it is hot.
• Tropical grasslands are also known as savannahs.
• Rainfall on tropical grasslands ranges from 50 to 130 cm yearly.
• The short vegetation in the tropical grasslands also make them an ideal hunting ground.
• Examples of tropical grasslands include the Savannah, Campos, and Llanos.
• Tropical grassland is home to a variety of animals, including elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, and zebras.
Temperate Grasslands
• These can be found in the interiors of continents and in midlatitudes.
• These grasslands are similar to tropical grasslands, with the exception of the climate.
• They experience hot summers and chilly winters, with an average annual rainfall of 25 to 75 cm.
• Examples of temperate grasslands include pampas, prairies, veld, steppes, and down.
• These grasses also endure extreme weather conditions.
• The Flooded Grasslands experience wintertime lows of 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In certain places, summertime temperatures can get up to 90 degrees.
• The most frequent precipitation types in these grasslands are dew and snow.
• Buffaloes, bison, and antelopes are common in the temperate zone.
Types of Grassland In India
Semi-arid Zone
• Semi-arid grassland ecosystems are made up of open, interconnected grasslands that are surrounded by groves of trees and shrubs.
• The most prevalent type of grass is a perennial natural grass.
• The northern regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan (apart from the Aravallis), western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab are covered by the topography.
Dry Sub-Humid Zone
• The biodiversity of dry subtropical areas is well adapted to the challenging conditions brought on by erratic rainfall patterns, which frequently cause droughts and floods, as well as high temperatures.
• Many of the world's agricultural products, including wheat, barley, and olives, are cultivated in arid and subhumid climates.
• This region of India includes the entire peninsula (with the exception of Nilgiri).
Moist Sub humid Zone
• The term "moist sub-humid zone" refers to regions with a climate that falls somewhere between semi-arid and humid, where the precipitation encourages the growth of tall or short grasses but not forests.
• The terrain is level, low-lying, and poorly drained, and it includes the Ganga alluvial plain in Northern India.
Humid Montane Regions
• High elevations all across the world are home to grasslands and shrublands known as humid montane grasslands.
• "High altitude" is indicated by the word "montane" in the name of the biome.
• Shifting agriculture and sheep grazing in Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and moist sub-humid zones of Jammu & Kashmir have transformed humid forests into the savanna.
The Economic Value of Grasslands
• The three main crops grown on grasslands worldwide are wheat, maize and rice.
• Grasslands are a key source of food for sheep and cows.
• Grasslands that are semi-natural are currently in inadequate supply of water.
• However, local stakeholders, such as local farmers and specialists from the area, are aware of their significance.
• These uncultivated grasses produce a system that effectively absorbs water and has high infiltration rates and little erosion.
• Clovers and other invasive weeds, with which honey bees have a long-standing connection, can survive in grassland and pasture.
• Natural and semi-natural grasslands are important components of the cultural landscape.
• Some grasslands have been declared as national parks or nature reserves, and both locally and nationally they are frequently marketed as tourism destinations.
Conclusion
One of the most significant landforms is grassland. They support agriculture by offering crucial ecosystem services including regulating water and climate, as well as advantages for culture, recreation, carbon storage, and biogeochemical cycling. As the main sources of agricultural gene pools, grasslands are also where many of the crops that support human life—like wheat, corn, rice, and millets—first appeared. Grasslands are crucial habitats for a wide range of plants and animals.