Consider the following characteristics of a grassland:
- 1. An extensive area of mid latitude grasslands are devoid of trees and shrubs.
- 2. The climate is characterised by hot summers, cold winters and relatively low rainfall occurring mainly in spring and summer.
- 3. In humid parts, grasses grow to a meter or more in height.
On the basis of the above characteristics, select the correct grassland from the options given below :
Steppes
Prairies
Savanna
Pampas
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2024
The characteristics described – extensive mid-latitude grassland devoid of trees/shrubs, a climate with hot summers, cold winters, relatively low rainfall mainly in spring/summer, and tall grasses in humid areas – are most typical of the Steppes grassland biome. This description aligns well with the continental climate (Dfa/Dfb or BSk in Köppen classification) found across the Eurasian Steppe, which experiences significant seasonal temperature variations and distinct dry periods. While Prairies share some characteristics, the climate description, particularly “relatively low rainfall mainly in spring and summer” and pronounced hot/cold extremes, is highly representative of the Steppe climate.
Mid-latitude grasslands exist on multiple continents but have regional names (Steppes in Eurasia, Prairies in North America, Pampas in South America, Veld in Africa). Their existence is primarily determined by a climate that is too dry for forests but wet enough for grasses to thrive.