The Temperate Grasslands: Prairies Class 5 Notes SST

What are The Prairies?

• Prairies are large, flat or slightly hilly areas covered mostly by grasses.
• They have a continental climate with:
  1. Hot summers
  2. Cold winters
  3. Moderate rainfall

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  • The soil in the prairies is very fertile, making it good for growing plants.
  • The Prairies support many different plants and animals.
  • They are found in places like North America, Eurasia, and Australia.
  • These areas lie between 23.5° and 66.5° latitude, in both the northern and southern parts of the Earth.
  • The Prairies are also called temperate grasslands because they are found in regions with moderate temperatures.

Major Features of The Prairies

Different Names in Different Places:

• North America: The Prairies
• South America: Pampas
• Eurasia: Steppes
• Australia: Downs
• South Africa: Velds
• East Africa: Savannas

Climate:

• Hot summers and cold winters.
• Rainfall varies:
  1. Eastern side: about 100 cm of rain.
  2. Western side: around 30 cm of rain.

Plants (Vegetation):

• Three types of grasslands:
  1. Tall grass prairies
  2. Mixed grass prairies
  3. Short grass plains (driest part)
• Mostly treeless, but some areas have sand dunes.

Animals (Fauna):
Common animals include:

• Bison, coyotes, prairie dogs, jackrabbits, badgers.
• Birds like hawks, and insects like grasshoppers and flies.
• Some reptiles like rattlesnakes.

Farming (Agriculture):

• The Prairies are important for farming and are called the "Wheat Basket of the World."
• Crops grown include wheat, maize (corn), barley, oats, and cotton.

Mineral Resources:

• Prairies have valuable minerals like coal and mineral oil.
• These are used for mining and making oil products.

Living of People Affected by Climatic Conditions

Climate Variation:

• The Prairies have hot summers and cold winters.
• Rainfall is different:
  1. Eastern side: about 100 mm of rain, has tall grasses.
  2. Western side: around 30 mm of rain, has thorny grasses.
• Because of the harsh weather, fewer people live in prairie regions.

Agriculture:

• The eastern side has very fertile land, great for growing wheat.
• The middle to western parts grow maize (corn), barley, oats, and cotton.
• Farmers use big machines to plant, grow, and harvest crops.
• Wheat is grown in large amounts and sent to other countries.

Livestock Rearing:

• The western prairies are used for raising animals like sheep, cows, and horses.
• Cowboys take care of cattle on ranches, even in tough conditions.
• Some cows are raised for milk and others for meat.

Economic Importance of The Prairies

Economic activities in prairie regions encompass a variety of sectors that contribute to the overall economic growth and development. These activities include:

Farming:

• Agriculture is very important in the prairies.
• Farmers grow crops like wheat, maize (corn), barley, oats, and cotton.

Animal Rearing:

• People in the prairies raise animals like sheep, cows, and horses for different uses.

Meat Processing:

• The meat industry is a big part of the economy.
• They slaughter, process, and package meat for people to buy.

Milk Processing:

• Dairy farming is also common.
• They produce milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter for everyone to enjoy.