Q. What are the names of temperate grasslands in different part of the world?
Ans: The Temperate grasslands are known with different names in different part of the world. It is known as Prairies in North America, Pampas in South America, Veld in Southern Africa and steppe in Asia.
Q. write a short note on prairies.
The temperate grasslands of North America are known as the Prairies. The prairies are bound by the Rocky Mountains in the West and the Great Lakes in the East cover parts of United States of America and parts of Canada. Mississippi and Saskatchewan river drained in this area.
Q. What are the factors affecting the development of Prairies?
Ans: 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 summers are warm with temperatures of around 20°C, while in winter -20°C and moderate rainfall helps to grow the sea of green grasses in this region.
Q. Discuss about the flora and fauna are found in prairies.
Ans:
- Flora:
Prairies are practically tree-less. Where water is available, trees such as willows, alders and
poplars grow. The major crop of this area is maize, other crops including potatoes, soybean, cotton and alfa-alfa is also grown.
- Fauna:
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 etc.
Q. Write a short note on granaries of the world.
Ans: Two of the most developed countries in the world – the USA and Canada are located in prairies region. Scientific methods of cultivation and use of tractors, harvesters and combines 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.
Q. Write a short note on Velds.
Ans: The temperate grasslands of South Africa are called the velds. 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 that attain a height of more than 1600 m, in some places. The tributaries of rivers Orange and Limpopo drain the region.
Q. Which type of climatic conditions are found in the Veld region?
Ans: 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.
Q. Why the Velds region is economically more significant?
Ans: The velds have rich reserve of minerals. Iron and steel industry has developed where coal and iron are present. 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. This mineral rich area has a well-developed network of transport.
