Temperate+Grasslands+Abiotic+Factors


 * Abiotic Factors: **

__ Climate __ The temperate grassland has distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. F8] Spring and summer months make up the traditional growing season. This season is considered dormant, as no grass grows because it is too cold. Two types of grasslands with varying climates can arise from varying precipitation amounts: tall grass, which is humid and very wet, and short grass, with drier and hotter summers and colder winters than tall grass. F1].

__ Temperature __ Temperate Grasslands typically experience hot summers, reaching as far as 100 °F. They also experience very cold winters which can go as cold as -40 °F. F2]. The temperature can have wide-mild ranges of temperatures that occur throughout the year. This varies greatly between summer and winter months. F1]. While some periods are hotter at times, they are always suitable for plant growth.

__ Sunlight __ Temperate grasslands receive a copious amount of sunlight compared to other biomes. They receive a daily average of about 12 hours of sunlight, which is approximately the amount of daylight received by the northern hemisphere on the summer solstice. This large amount of sunlight allows for more precipitation and better grass growth throughout the region. F3]. F5]

__ Precipitation __ Temperate grasslands get low-moderate amounts of precipitation, averaging at around 20-35 inches per year. While most rain occurs in late spring and early summer, most precipitation falls as snow during the winter. F1]. Amount of rainfall determine the size of grass (divide into tall, which is wetter, and short, which is dryer). Precipitation is e rratic, can cause droughts and fires start up and prevent large forests from growing. F4].

__ Seasonal Factors __ Snow often acts as a reservoir of water for beginning the growing season. F8] There is also a distinct season pattern of growing and dormancy. Seasonal droughts & occasional fires caused by lightning occur from storms (cause large grass fires). F1]. Fire preserves biodiversity, keep trees from overtaking grasses, help plants germinate sees, clear ground cover, and allow rare plants a chance and nourish soil w/ freshly burnt vegetation. F6].

__ Water __ Precipitation is the source of water, which supports grasses and in some areas a few trees. Snow from the winter acts as a water reservoir in spring. Droughts can occur, and trees cannot handle lack of water as easily as grasses (thus dominant). F8]. Grassroots often compete for water in temperate grasslands.

F7].

__ Geography __ Temperate grasslands have c onsistent geological plane, with deep and usually rich soil. F1]. Grasslands in the southern hemisphere (tall grass) tend to get more precipitation than those in the northern hemisphere. F6].


 * North America- prairies; central lowlands & high plains of US and Canada, Palouse Prairie of Eastern Washington state, California Grasslands, and desert grasslands of SW (temperate)
 * Eurasia-steppes- Ukraine eastward through Russia and Mongolia
 * South America- pampas of Argentina, Uruguay, SE Brazil
 * Africa-veld in the Republic of South Africa
 * Hungary- Puszta
 * Australian Outback
 * Minnesota Cedar Creek region

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