Life in the Temperate Grasslands
Overview
Temperate grasslands — large grasslands with moderate climate. Two famous ones in the world: Prairies (North America) and Velds (South Africa). We look at farming, animal rearing, and life in both.
Typed Notes
Prairies — The World's Storehouse
Prairies are large open grasslands in North America (Canada + USA). Latitude 30-55°N; climate: moderate — warm in summer (20-25°C), cold in winter (up to -20°C); rainfall is low to moderate (50-100cm). Trees are very few here — found only along riverbanks (poplar, willow). A special wind blows here: chinook — a warm, dry wind coming from the Rocky Mountains that raises the temperature even in winter (beneficial for farming).
Work in Prairies — Farming and Animal Rearing
The land of the Prairies is large, flat, and fertile (given by glaciers) — which is why the world's largest wheat farming happens here: that is why it is called the 'granaries of the world' or 'bread basket'. Maize, barley, and oats are also grown. Commercial farming is done using machines (tractors, combines) — fewer people, larger fields. Animal rearing: cattle ranches — beef, dairy, wool. Transport: railways connected the large farms to the rest of the world — wheat is exported through ports.
Velds — The Grasslands of South Africa
Velds are the plateau grasslands of South Africa (located between the Drakensberg mountains; 'veld' means field). Climate: mild — summers are not very hot (10-20°C), winters are cold (0-10°C); moderate rainfall (July is cold here — Southern hemisphere!). Main activities: cattle and sheep rearing (wool, meat, dairy), and mining: gold — Johannesburg (world's largest gold region), diamond. Maize farming is also done. Mining has made up a large part of South Africa's economy.
Two Grasslands — Comparison
Both are temperate grasslands: fewer trees, more grass, farming and animal rearing are the main activities. Differences: (1) Location — Prairies are in the Northern hemisphere (30-55°N), Velds are in the Southern hemisphere (South Africa); (2) Farming — Prairies are the world's storehouse of wheat; Velds also have major mining (gold-diamond); (3) Wind — Prairies have the chinook wind; Velds have no such special wind; (4) Population — Prairies have large-scale commercial farming with big machines; Velds have towns built around mines.
Key Concepts
Revision ke liye ek nazar — exam se pehle yahi padhna hai.
- 01Temperate grasslands = large grasslands with moderate climate (neither too hot nor too cold); very few trees.
- 02Prairies: North America (Canada-USA) — called 'granaries of the world' (world's storehouse of wheat); chinook — warm dry local wind; cattle ranches, commercial farming, railways.
- 03Velds: South Africa — located between the Drakensberg mountains; mild climate; cattle and sheep rearing + mining (gold — Johannesburg, diamond).
- 04Two locations: Prairies — 30-55°N latitude; Velds — Southern hemisphere (high plateau of South Africa).
- 05Work of grasslands: farming (wheat, maize), animal rearing (cattle, sheep — wool, meat, dairy), and mining (Velds).
Questions & Solutions
Pehle khud try karo — phir solution kholo. Yahi tariqa topper banata hai.
Where are the Prairies and why are they famous?
What is chinook?
Where are the Velds and what is the main activity there?
Why are there fewer trees in temperate grasslands?
Why were railways more important in the Prairies?
Temperate grasslands: Prairies (North America — world's storehouse of wheat, chinook wind, cattle ranches) and Velds (South Africa — mild climate, gold and diamond mining, Johannesburg). Both have fewer trees, with farming and animal rearing as the main activities.
Chapter-end quiz
4 MCQsOption tap karo — turant pata chalega sahi ya galat, explanation ke saath.
Q1.Which region is called the 'granaries of the world'?
Q2.What is chinook?
Q3.In which country are the Velds located?
Q4.Johannesburg is famous for which mineral?
Mark karo — dashboard par progress dikhega.