Here is the class notes from Class 7 NCERT Geography- Chapter 9: Life in the Temperate Grasslands

Grasslands

  • Grasslands make up almost a quarter of the total land surface.
  • Two types of grasslands
    • Temperate grasslands: found in the temperate region.
    • Tropical grasslands: found in the tropical region.

THE PRAIRIES

  • The word Prairie originated from Latin word priata which means meadow.
  • The temperate grasslands of North America are known as the Prairies.
  • It is a region of flat, gently sloping or hilly land.
  • Tall grass is upto two metres high.
  •  It is actually a “sea of grass.”
  • The prairies are bound by the Rocky Mountains in the West and the Great Lakes in the East.
  • The prairies cover parts of United States of America and parts of Canada.
  • In the USA, the area is drained by the tributaries of Mississippi and the Canadian prairies are drained by the tributaries of Saskatchewan Rivers.
  • The grasslands of Prairies were the home of native Americans often called “Red Indians”.
  • The Prairies were home of other tribes also like the Apache, the Crow, the Cree and the Pawnee.
Climate
  • Being located in the heart of a continent, the climate is of continental type with extreme temperatures.
  • The summers are warm with temperatures of around 20°C, while in winter -20°C has been recorded.
  • In winters a thick blanket of snow covers this region.
  • The annual rainfall is moderate and is ideal for the growth of grass.
  • A  local wind “Chinook” blows here.
    • Chinook is a hot wind that blows in winter and therefore raises the temperature within a short time.
    • This increase in temperature results in the melting of snow, making pasture land available for grazing of animals.
Flora and Fauna
  • Pairies are practically tree-less.
  • Where water is available, trees such as willows, alders and poplars grow.
  • Places that receive rainfall of over 50 cm, are suitable for farming as the soil is fertile.
    • Major crop- maize, other crops including potatoes, soybean, cotton and alfa-alfa is also grown.
  • Areas where rainfall is very little or unreliable, grasses are short and sparse.
    • These areas are suitable for cattle rearing.
  • Bison or the American buffalo is the most important animal of this region.
  • The other animals found in this region are rabbits, coyotes, gophers and Prairie dog.
People
  • The people of this region are very hardworking.
  • They have successfully harnessed technology to utilise their rich natural resources.
  • Two of the most developed countries in the world – the USA and Canada are located in this region.
  • Scientific methods of cultivation has made North America a surplus food producer.
  • The Prairies are also known as the “Granaries of the world,” due to the huge surplus of wheat production.
  • Dairy farming is another major industry.
  • Large mineral deposits particularly coal and iron is found here.
  • It is the most industrialised region in the world.

THE VELDS

  • The temperate grasslands of South Africa are called the velds.
  • The Veld name was given by the Dutch settlers before South Africa was colonised by the British.
  • Velds are rolling plateaus with varying heights ranging from 600 m to 1100 m.
  • It is bound by the Drakensburg Mountains on the east. To its west lies the Kalahari desert. On the northeastern part, “high velds” are located .
  • The tributaries of rivers Orange and Limpopo drain the region.
Climate
  • The velds have a mild climate due to the influence of the Indian Ocean.
  • Winters are cold and dry.
  • Temperatures vary between 5°C and 10°C and July is the coldest month.
  • Summers are short and warm. Johannesburg records about 20°C temperature in the summer.
  • The velds receive rainfall mainly in the summer months from November to February.
  • This is mainly because of the warm ocean currents that wash the shores of the velds.
  • If the rainfall is scanty in the winter months from June till August, drought may occur.
Flora and Fauna
  • The vegetation cover is sparse.
  • Grasses dominate the landscape.
  • Red grass grows in bush velds.
  • In the high velds acacia and maroola are seen to be growing.
  • Animals- lions, leopards, cheetah and kudu.
People
  • Velds are known for cattle rearing and mining.
  • The soils are not very fertile in the velds due to the presence of discontinuous grasses exposing barren surface.
  • However where the land is fertile crops are grown.
    • Main crops- maize, wheat, barley, oats and potato.
    • Cash crops- tobacco, sugarcane and cotton
  • Sheep rearing is the most important occupation of the people.
  • Dairy farming is the next important occupation.
  • The velds have rich reserve of minerals.
    • Johannesburg is known for being the gold capital of the world.
    • Kimberley is famous for its diamond mines.
  • Mining of diamond and gold in South Africa led to the establishment of trade ties with Britain and gradually South Africa became a British Colony.
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