Grasslands of the World, Name, Types and features

Grasslands are characterized as lands dominated by grasses rather than large shrubs or trees. A grassland ecosystem is a dry area of land dominated by grasses. Huge trees and shrubs are very rarely found in these regions. The Grasslands of the world are found on every continent except Antarctica, these ecosystems include prairies, savannas, and steppes, and they support a wide variety of wildlife and play a crucial role in agriculture and carbon storage.

This article will discuss about the different types of grassland in the world and India, and also about animal & plant species supported by different types of grasslands.

The Grasslands of the World: Relevance for UPSC

For UPSC aspirants understanding the grasslands is important role in global biodiversity, climate regulation, and support human livelihoods, making them significant in environmental and geographical studies.

• GS 1: Salient features of world’s physical geography
• Geography Optional subject

What are Grasslands?

Grasslands are areas where the land is primarily covered by grass, with minimal or no tree cover. According to UNESCO, grasslands are defined as regions where herbaceous plants dominate, with less than 10 percent tree and shrub cover. If tree and shrub cover is between 10 to 40 percent, the area is considered wooded grassland. Grassland ecosystems are typically characterized by water scarcity, making them water-deficient environments.

Geography Notes for UPSC

Where grasslands are found?

Grasslands are found where there is sufficient moisture for grass to grow, but environmental conditions, both climatic and anthropogenic, prevent the growth of trees. The occurrence of grasses is related to the intensity of rainfall between desert and forest. Grasslands lie mainly between two extremes, one being forests and the other being deserts. Forests exist in the most favorable environments, where moisture is sufficient for tall, dense vegetation full of trees to grow and survive. Deserts are places where moisture is so scarce that it is not possible to maintain a continuous, permanent vegetation cover.

Characteristic features of grasslands

• Short plants: Grasslands normally has very short growing season as the climate is dry and the soil is poor. These conditions inhibit the growth of woody and large trees, and favors the growth of small plants like grass and shrubs.
• Fast growing grass: Grasses have the tendency to grow back in spite of grazing or overgrazing. Moreover, most of the grass species can grow back quickly after a fire has swept through the Grassland, and some have seeds that can grow after being burned in a fire.
• Mostly Hot and Dry Areas: Nearly all large grasslands are hot, at least in summer, and dry. In general, Tropical Grasslands receive 500 to 1,500 mm of about 15° to 35° C.
• Change in appearance: Grasslands change their appearance throughout the year. While, in winter Grasslands look drab and lifeless. A similar change can be seen in tropical grasslands where the onset of the rainy season changes the landscape from dull brown to bright green.

Important grasslands of the world: Types of grasslands

• Desert Grasslands: In dry regions, these grasslands have sparse vegetation due to limited rainfall, with hardy grasses adapted to arid conditions.
• Flooded Grasslands: These grasslands experience seasonal flooding and are found near rivers, lakes, or wetlands, supporting grasses and plants that thrive in saturated soils.
• Montane Grasslands: Located at high altitudes, often in mountainous regions, these grasslands are cooler and may receive more rainfall, and the grasses are adapted to colder climates.
• Tropical Grasslands: Also known as savannas, these grasslands are found in warm regions with distinct wet and dry seasons, featuring scattered trees and diverse wildlife.
• Temperate Grasslands: Found in regions with moderate climates, these grasslands experience seasonal changes and are characterized by tall or short grasses, depending on the rainfall.

Selvas

Selvas are the grasslands of the Amazon Basin. They are also known as dense tropical rainforests covered with clouds. They are found in the Amazon Basin. Along with this, the grasslands with tropical climate are called Granchacho.

Desert Grassland

• These are also called semi-deserts.
• Grasses are shorter and less dense than usual.
• located mostly in southwestern North America, extending from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas down through thirteen Mexican states.

Flooded Grassland

• These grasslands support many animals and plants.
• Mean annual precipitation is between 400mm and 450mm.
• mining for oil and natural gases and encroachment of agricultural systems threaten the flooded grassland.
• Most seasonally flooded grasslands are located in floodplains at lake margins and in the coastal zone.
• example – The Pantanal

Montane Grasslands

• term montane refers to high elevations.
• Mammals found in these alpine areas include pikas, marmots, mountain goats, sheep, vicunas, chinchillas, and deer.
• These are located on high plateaus.
• In India at Nilgiri hills and Anamalai hills

Tropical Grasslands

• Tropical Grasslands are located near the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
• Tropical Grasslands are generally found in the interior part of continents between the Tropical Rain Forests and Tropical Deserts.
• Tropical Grasslands are also known as ‘Savannahs’. They have a tropical continental climate where wet and dry seasons come alternately.
• The tropical grasslands have short plants, which makes them an excellent hunting ground.
• Example
  • East Africa- Savanna
  • Brazil- Campos
  • Venezuela- Llanos

Temperate Grasslands

• Temperate Grasslands consists of Grasses and/or shrubs.
• The climate is temperate and semi-arid to semi-humid.
• Temperate grasslands differ largely from Tropical Grasslands in the annual temperature regime as well as the types of Species found here.
• Normally, these regions are devoid of trees, except for riparian or gallery Forests associated with streams and rivers.
• Moreover, the soil here is fertile with rich nutrients and minerals.
• Temperate grasslands suffer from extreme climates.
  • In the cold season, the temperature can reach up to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. While in the summer season it can reaches up to 90 degrees in some areas.
• Moreover, the precipitation in these grasslands is majorly in the form of dew and snow.
• Examples
  • Argentina- Pampas
  • America- Prairie
  • South Africa- Veld
  • Asia- Steppe
  • Australia- Down

Different grasslands of the world

Below are some of the famous grasslands of the world which is very important for many competitive examinations, including Civil Services.

Grasslands of the world with names

UPSC PYQs for Grasslands

Q1. In the Grasslands trees do not replace the grasses as part of an ecological succession because of (UPSC 2013) –

1. Fungi and Insects
2. Limited sunlight and paucity of nutrients
3. water limits and fire
4. None of the above

Q2. Consider the following statements :

1.Grasslands are found on every continent.
2. These terrestrial ecosystems occupy roughly 19% of the earth’s surface.
3. Grasslands are characterized by treeless herbaceous plant cover, dominated by a wide variety of grass species.

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. None

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