Temperate Grassland Gabrielle Bellanco

Geography North America: – Great Plains – Southern Canada to Gulf of Mexico – Rocky Mountains to deciduous forests of the east Eurasia: – Eastern Europe to Eastern China Other locations: – Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, New Zealand, Africa

Climate 300 to 1000mm of precipitation annually (often snow) – Droughts lasting several years may occur Hot summers and cold winters

Human Impact Agriculture: – 47% converted – Introduction of inorganic fertilizers – Overgrazed – Has led to a loss of as much as 35% to 40% of organic matter in just 40 years of cultivation

Plants Largely grass and flowers with little trees or shrubs

Animals Large grazers Small prairie animals Carnivores