The Prairies – Temperate Region: People, Flora, Fauna, Climate

The compilation of these Life in the Temperate Grasslands Notes makes students exam preparation simpler and organised.

The Prairies – Temperate Region

So, how many of you know what grasslands are? NO! It is not the only land made of grasses! Yes, the lands are obviously filled with grasses, but that’s not all! Grasslands refer to places that are dominated by plant life. In this chapter, we will study all about grasslands and the Prairies. We will see how the lives of the people are in these areas, their occupation, the flora and fauna and everything else!

What are Grasslands?

Grassland, as the name suggests, is in other words ‘a land made up of grasses. Grasses form the dominant type of plant life in these areas. Grasslands make up almost a quarter of the total earth’s land surface. The type of plants that grow in the grasslands depends on the type of climate and the type of soil. On the basis of climate, we can divide grasslands into two major types:

  • Grasslands that occur in the temperate region
  • Grasslands that occur in the tropical region

Now, we will look at the Prairies. Do you know about them? They are the grasslands of the temperate region.

The Prairies

The Prairies

Prairies are the temperate grasslands of North America. The word ‘Prairie’ originated from the Latin word ‘priata’ which means meadow. They have the following features:

  • It is a region of flat, gently sloping, or hilly land.
  • For the most part, prairies are treeless but, near the low-lying plains, flanking river valleys, woodlands can be found.
  • Tall trees, up to two meters high, dominate the landscape.

It is actually ‘a sea of grasses’. The prairies cover parts of the United States of America and parts of Canada. The Rocky Mountains bound them in the West. The Great Lakes cover them in the east. The tributaries of Mississippi drain the prairies in the USA. On the other hand, the tributaries of the Saskatchewan Rivers drain the prairies of Canada.

Climate of The Prairies
The Prairies are located in the heart of a continent. Therefore, the climate is of continental type with extreme temperatures. The summers are warm, with temperatures of around 20°C, and winters are very cold with temperatures of around -20°C.

You can get this temperature in Winnipeg, Canada. In winters, a thick blanket of snow covers this region. It rains moderately in this region and is ideal for the growth of grass. Due to the absence of the north-south barrier, a local wind ‘Chinook’ blows here.

Flora and Fauna
Flora
Prairies are practically treeless. Based on the availability of water, the plants found in the area, differ.

  • Trees such as willows, alders, and poplars grow in areas where you get water.
  • Where rainfall is above 50 cm, farming is practiced as the soil is fertile. The main crop here is maize. The other crops that are grown in this area include potatoes, soybean, alfalfa, and cotton.
  • Areas, where rainfall is very little or unreliable, short and sparse grasses, are found. These areas are suitable for cattle rearing. Large cattle farms are called ranches. These are looked after by sturdy men called cowboys.

Fauna
The American Buffalo or the bison is the main animal in the Prairies. However, it has nearly got extinct due to indiscriminate hunting. Other animals found in this region are rabbits, Prairie dogs, coyotes, and gophers.

People of the Prairies

The people of this region are very industrious. They are successfully harnessing the technology to utilize its natural resources. The two most developed countries – the USA and Canada are located in this region.

  • Agriculture: Scientific methods of cultivation and use of tractors, harvesters, and combines have made North America a surplus producer of food grains. The Prairies are also called the ‘Granaries of the world’ due to surplus wheat production.
  • Dairy Farming: It is another major industry in this region. The dairy belt extends from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Coast in the east.
  • Food Processing Industries: Dairy farming and surplus production in agriculture promote the setting up of food processing industries.
  • Mineral Resources: This region has rich deposits of minerals like iron and coal.
  • Infrastructure: There is a very good network of roads, railways, and canals in this region. This is one of the most industrialized and advanced regions in the world.

Example:

Question:
Describe the Flora and Fauna in the Prairies.
Answer:
Flora: Prairies are practically treeless. Based on the availability of water, the plants found in the area, differ.

  • Trees such as willows, alders, and poplars grow in areas where you get water.
  • Where rainfall is above 50 cm, farming is practiced as the soil is fertile. The main crop here is maize. The other crops that are grown in this area include potatoes, soybean, alfalfa, and cotton.
  • Areas, where rainfall is very little or unreliable, short and sparse grasses, are found. These areas are suitable for cattle rearing. Large cattle farms are called ranches. These are looked after by sturdy men called cowboys.

Fauna: The American Buffalo or the bison is the main animal in the Prairies. However, it has nearly got extinct due to indiscriminate hunting. Other animals found in this region are rabbits, Prairie dogs, coyotes, and gophers.