Science Natural Science Characteristics of Temperate Grassland Biomes By Regina Bailey Regina Bailey Writer Emory University Chattahoochee Technical College Regina Bailey is a science writer, educator, and board-certified registered nurse. Her work has been featured in "Kaplan AP Biology" and "The Internet for Cellular and Molecular Biologists." Learn about our editorial process Updated September 6, 2024 Black-tailed prairie dog, Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada. John E Marriott/All Canada Photos/Getty Images Science Space Natural Science Technology Agriculture Energy In This Article Expand Temperate Grasslands Climate Location Vegetation Wildlife Biomes are the world's major habitats. These habitats are identified by the vegetation and animals that populate them. The regional climate determines each biome's location. Grassland biomes have cold winters and warm summers, with some rainfall. You can find grasslands on every continent except Antarctica. Below is information on the climate, vegetation, and animals found in grassland biomes. Key Takeaways: Temperate Grasslands Temperate grasslands are areas of open grassy plains that are sparsely populated with trees.Various names of temperate grasslands include pampas, downs, and veldts.Temperate grasslands can be found in various regions north and south of the equator including Argentina, Australia, and central North America.Temperatures vary with seasons with tornadoes, blizzards, and fires occurring in many temperate grassland regions.Temperate grasslands are home to many large and small herbivores. Temperate Grasslands Like savannas, temperate grasslands are open grassland areas with few trees. Temperate grasslands, however, are located in climate regions that experience cold winters and hot summers and receive less precipitation on average than savannas. Climate Temperatures in temperate grasslands vary according to the season. During winter, temperatures can plummet to well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer brings temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperate grasslands receive low to moderate annual precipitation on average (20 to 35 inches). Most of this precipitation is in the form of snow in northern hemisphere grasslands. Tornadoes, Blizzards, and Fires nickalbi/iStock/Getty Images Plus Tornadoes, blizzards, and fires are three natural factors that impact temperate grassland biomes. One stretch of grassland, in the United States plains region, is known as Tornado Alley due to tornado hyperactivity. This region extends from northern Texas through North Dakota and east into Ohio. Tornadoes spawn as warm air from the Gulf meets cold air from Canada; these air patterns cause around 700 tornadoes annually. Temperate grasslands located in colder regions experience icy winters and blizzards. High winds generate sudden snowstorms that spread across the plains. Due to the hot, dry summer climate, wildfires are common in temperate grasslands. Lightning usually sparks these fires, but human activity also causes them. The thick dry grass in temperate grasslands can fuel fires that spread for hundreds of miles. While fires are destructive, they also ensure that prairies remain grasslands and are not overtaken by scrub vegetation. Location Temperate Grassland Locations. Terpsichores/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 Grasslands are located on every continent except Antarctica. Some locations of temperate grasslands include: Argentina - pampasAustralia - downsCentral North America - plains and prairiesHungary - pusztaNew Zealand - downsRussia - steppesSouth Africa - veldts Vegetation Low to moderate precipitation in temperate grasslands makes plant growth—like woody shrubs and trees—difficult. Grasses in this area have adapted to cold temperatures, drought, and occasional fires. These grasses have deep, massive root systems that take hold in the soil, allowing the grass to remain firmly rooted in the ground to reduce erosion and conserve water. Temperate grassland vegetation can grow short or tall. In areas with little precipitation, grasses remain low to the ground. Taller grasses are found in warmer areas that receive more rainfall. Examples of vegetation in temperate grasslands include buffalo grass, cacti, sagebrush, perennial grasses, sunflowers, clovers, and wild indigos. Wildlife American Bison. Juan Carlos Munoz/The Image Bank/Getty Images Plus Temperate grasslands are home to many large herbivores. Some of these include bison, gazelles, zebras, rhinoceroses, and wild horses. Carnivores, like lions and wolves, are also found in temperate grasslands. Other animals of this region include: deer, prairie dogs, mice, jack rabbits, skunks, coyotes, snakes, foxes, owls, badgers, blackbirds, grasshoppers, meadowlarks, sparrows, quails, and hawks. More Land Biomes Temperate grasslands are one of many biomes. Other land biomes of the world include: Chaparrals: Characterized by dense shrubs and grasses, this biome experiences dry summers and damp winters. Deserts: Many people assume falsely that all deserts are hot. Deserts are classified according to location, temperature, and amount of precipitation. Savannas: This large grassland biome is home to some of the fastest animals on the planet. Taigas: Also called coniferous forests, this biome is populated by dense evergreen trees. Temperate Forests: These forests experience distinctive seasons and are populated by deciduous trees (lose leaves in winter). Tropical Rain Forests: This biome receives abundant rainfall and is characterized by tall, dense vegetation. Located near the equator, this biome experiences hot temperatures year round. Tundra: As the coldest biome in the world, tundras are characterized by extremely cold temperatures, permafrost, tree-less landscapes, and slight precipitation. Sources Hoare, Ben. Temperate Grasslands. Raintree, 2011.Nunez, Christina. "Grasslands Information and Facts." National Geographic, 15 Mar. 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/grasslands/.