(a) Describe the characteristics of the cool temperate grasslands
(b) Outline five factors which affect the distribi of this vegetation type
Explanation
(a) Characteristics of cool temperate grassland:
Grass is luxuriant and succulent for most of the year and the grasslands are treeless plains. In summer, grasses become tough and leaves curled to reduce evaporation. Due to increase in soil moisture few trees may grow along river courses. The appearance of grasses varies with season: green, fresh and blooming in spring but brownish in summer. Typical grasses are buffalo, blue-stern, needle grass with under root system-rhizomes and bulbs. Temperate grassland is called prairies in North America, veldt in South Africa, Pampas in Argentina, Down in Australia
(b) Factors which effect distribution:
(i) Hot summer with temperature exceeding 27°C
(ii) Cold winter with temperate falling below freezing point
(iii) Rich black earth
(iv) Light annual rainfall of about 50cm
(v) Chernozem soil
(vi) Ability of grasses to withstand cold winters by dormancy
(vii) The root system is designed to withstand prolonged drought