What is Temperate Grasslands?

Grasslands are known by their common names in different regions of the world, such as the plains or prairies in North America, the steppe in Asia, the pampas of South America, the outback in Australia, and the veldt in Africa. Unlike the savanna, temperate grasslands are vast expanses of grass, uninterrupted by bushes or trees. Rainfall in grasslands is below that of savannas--ranging between 25 cm and 75 cm (10" to 30") during the rainy season. The rest of the time temperate grasslands are especially vulnerable to lightning induced burning. Large numbers of herbivorous animal grazers are supported by the grass ecosytems. Grasses can survive the burning and grazing because the leaves constantly renew themselves from the growing tissues near the bases of the leaves, which are near the surface of the ground.

Grasslands are able to support large numbers of herbivorous animals such as the grazing American bison and pronghorned antelope in the North American prairies. Other grazers such as rabbits, rodents, and prairie dogs also inhabit the prairies, as well as birds of prey, rattlesnakes and coyotes, all making for a complex food web.