life in temperate grasslands Flashcards

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1
Q

what are temperate grasslands

A

regions where dominant vegetation consists of grasses and shrubs

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2
Q

where are temperate grasslands found

A

in middle latitudes in regions with semi-arid continental climate

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3
Q

characteristic feature of grasslands and the reason

A

abscence of trees- climate and soil, some scientists claim due to large scale deforestation

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4
Q

where is the prairie found

A

USA and Canada between 40 and 55 degrees N

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5
Q

what is the prairie

A

expanse of largely flat ground covered in lush grass

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6
Q

what is surrounding the prairie

A

it is flanked by the rockies in the west and the Appalachian mountains in the east

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7
Q

in the USA what states does the prairie cover and which river is it drained by

A

it is drained by the river Mississippi. it spread over the states of North Dakota South Dakota, Kansas Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Montana, Iowa and Wisconsin

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8
Q

which river is the canadian prairie drained by and over what provinces does it extend

A

Saskatchewan river- Saskatchewan Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta

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9
Q

which place is called the gateway to the prairies

A

winnipeg in canada

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10
Q

what can the north American prairie be divided into

A

tallgrass prairie, mixed and shortgrass prairie

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11
Q

what is the climate like in the prairies in summer

A

known for20 degree celcius

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12
Q

what is climate like in prairie in winter

A

minus 20 degree celcius

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13
Q

what are winters like in Winnipeg, Canada

A

severe dropping to minus 34 celsius with snow

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14
Q

what is rainfall like in the prairie

A

moderate with about 50 cm annually

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15
Q

how is the wind in the prairie

A

absence of trees or any barriers result in wind blowing with great force and chinook blowinf from the rockies

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16
Q

what is the plantlife in the prairie

A

various grasses small patches of woodland where there is sufficient warmth and water

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17
Q

what trees are found in the prairie

A

willows alders and poplars

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18
Q

what limits the number of trees in the prairie

A

fire

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19
Q

what animal life is present in the prairie

A

bison, badger, coyote, prairie dog, rabbit and gopher

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20
Q

what is the population like in the prairies and what is the main occupation

A

sparsely populated with agriculture the main occupation

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21
Q

what place is called the granary of the world and why

A

the prairie because it has such a high production of food grain

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22
Q

what are the ideal conditions for modern and scientific methods of cultivation

A

50cm of rain and rich fertile soil

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23
Q

what methods and tools do the wheat farms in the prairies use

A

scientifically treated seeds and machinery like seed drills, weeders, cutters, thrashers ,harvesters, etc

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24
Q

in hilly regions what method of farming is practiced

A

contour ploughing or terrace farming

25
Q

in flat regions what kind of farming is practiced

A

strip cropping

26
Q

what crops are produced in the prairie

A

wheat, maize, cotton, oats, barley, soya bean, potato

27
Q

what is the largest corn growing redion

A

prairie

28
Q

what has lead to the rise of food processing industries in the prairies

A

high productivity of agriculture and diary

29
Q

what is a ranch

A

a large cattle farm

30
Q

what deposits are the prairies rich in

A

coal and iron

31
Q

how is the mined materials transported

A

mainly by rails but also by inland water ways

32
Q

what are the importantcities in the prairies

A

chicago indianapolis, minneapolis , Kansas city and denver in USA. winnipeg edmenton, clagary and saskatoon

33
Q

what is a veldt

A

the temperate grassland in south africa

34
Q

in which hemisphere does the veldt lay in

A

southern

35
Q

at what level is the veldt found

A

600-1100m over mean sea level

36
Q

where does the veldt lie

A

25 to 37 degree latitiude

37
Q

what is the veldt surrounded by

A

Drakensberg mountain in the east and the Kalahari desert in the west

38
Q

by what river is the veldt drained by

A

orange and Limpopo rivers

39
Q

what part of africa does the veldt cover

A

south africa

40
Q

what are the summers like in the veldt

A

short warm and wet. most rainfall occurs netween november and feb. warm ocean currents

41
Q

what is the temp of Johannesburg during summer

A

mean of 20 degrees thanks to indian ocean

42
Q

how does rainfall decrease

A

south to north, east to west

43
Q

what are the hottest months in the veldt

A

DECENBER AND JAN

44
Q

how are winters in the veldt

A

cold and dry. 5-15 degrees. can drop to freezing levels at night

45
Q

how is the temp at the high veldt

A

cool throughout the year

46
Q

why is the vegetation limited in the veldt

A

semi-arid conditions

47
Q

what is the plant life like in the veldt

A

sporadic though widespread. red grass grown in the bush veldt. acacia and maroola spotted along streams in high veldt

48
Q

what is the bush veldt

A

lower altitudes

49
Q

what animals are found in the veldt

A

giraffe, black rhinos, antelopes, leopards, lions and cheetahs

50
Q

what is the main occupation of people in the veldt

A

agriculture, cattle rearing and mining

51
Q

what is mixed farming

A

mixed farming is cultivating crops and rearing cattle on the same farm

52
Q

what is extensive agriculture

A

agriculture practiced on vast land with machines and few people

53
Q

what crops are grown on a veldt

A

maize, wheat, cucumber, potato, oats, barley, tobacco, cocoa, cotton

54
Q

why is the veldt more suited for cattle rearing

A

soil is not fertile

55
Q

what sheep are reared in the veldt

A

angora for wool leather and wheat. merino for it’s fine and warm wool

56
Q

in what regions are cattle rearing practiced large scale

A

rainy and warm supporting the diary industry

57
Q

what minerals is the veldt rich in

A

coal, iron, gold, diamonds

58
Q

where is gold mined

A

Witwatersrand a mountain ridgw

59
Q

what place is known for it’s diamond mines

A

Kimberley