1. Temperate Grasslands The Most Awesome Biome

2. Global Distribution The Prairie in the USA The Pampas of South America The Steppes of Eurasia 9 countries mostly: Canada, United States, Russia, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Australia and South Africa. Covers 35% of land on Earth

3. Climate Characteristics Continental Climates of Dry Subtropical Climates Elevation is usually below 2000 ft, except in equatorial climes Temperature range: Anywhere from -40° F in winter to around 70° F in summer Precipitation – temperate grasslands: 10-30 inches per year – tropical and sub-tropical grasslands: 25-60 inches per year.

4. Species

5. Indigenous Peoples Tribal Hunter-Gatherers Herders

6. Major Human Impacts 41% have been converted to agriculture 6% to urbanization

7. Solutions The IUCN/WCPA Grassland Protected Areas Task Force – to facilitate the protection of 10% of the Temperate Grasslands biome by 2013 The Temperate Grasslands Conservation Initiative - to increase international level of cooperation for and communication about the conservation and protection of temperate grasslands

8. Natural Resources Vegetation Livestock Soil Nothing exciting

9. High/Low NPP? Low Around 550 g C/m²/yr

10. Sources blueplanetbiomes.org bcgrasslands.org