PPT: The Temperate Grasslands: Prairies | Social Studies for Class 5 PDF Download

 Page 1


Temperate Grasslands: 
The Prairies
Page 2


Temperate Grasslands: 
The Prairies
What are The Prairies?
Definition
Prairies are large, flat 
or slightly hilly areas 
covered mostly by 
grasses. They have 
fertile soil, making 
them ideal for plant 
growth and 
supporting diverse 
flora and fauna.
Climate
They feature a 
continental climate 
characterized by hot 
summers, cold 
winters, and 
moderate rainfall, 
creating distinct 
seasonal patterns.
Location
Found in North America, Eurasia, and Australia, 
these temperate grasslands lie between 23.5° and 
66.5° latitude in both northern and southern 
hemispheres.
Page 3


Temperate Grasslands: 
The Prairies
What are The Prairies?
Definition
Prairies are large, flat 
or slightly hilly areas 
covered mostly by 
grasses. They have 
fertile soil, making 
them ideal for plant 
growth and 
supporting diverse 
flora and fauna.
Climate
They feature a 
continental climate 
characterized by hot 
summers, cold 
winters, and 
moderate rainfall, 
creating distinct 
seasonal patterns.
Location
Found in North America, Eurasia, and Australia, 
these temperate grasslands lie between 23.5° and 
66.5° latitude in both northern and southern 
hemispheres.
Major Features of 
The Prairies
Rich Soil
Prairies are 
known for their 
exceptionally 
fertile soil, 
developed over 
thousands of 
years from 
decomposed 
grass roots and 
organic matter.
Grass 
Dominance
The landscape 
is dominated by 
various grass 
species that 
have adapted to 
survive 
seasonal 
extremes and 
grazing 
pressure.
Seasonal 
Extremes
These regions 
experience 
dramatic 
temperature 
variations 
between 
seasons, 
shaping both 
the ecosystem 
and human 
activities.
Page 4


Temperate Grasslands: 
The Prairies
What are The Prairies?
Definition
Prairies are large, flat 
or slightly hilly areas 
covered mostly by 
grasses. They have 
fertile soil, making 
them ideal for plant 
growth and 
supporting diverse 
flora and fauna.
Climate
They feature a 
continental climate 
characterized by hot 
summers, cold 
winters, and 
moderate rainfall, 
creating distinct 
seasonal patterns.
Location
Found in North America, Eurasia, and Australia, 
these temperate grasslands lie between 23.5° and 
66.5° latitude in both northern and southern 
hemispheres.
Major Features of 
The Prairies
Rich Soil
Prairies are 
known for their 
exceptionally 
fertile soil, 
developed over 
thousands of 
years from 
decomposed 
grass roots and 
organic matter.
Grass 
Dominance
The landscape 
is dominated by 
various grass 
species that 
have adapted to 
survive 
seasonal 
extremes and 
grazing 
pressure.
Seasonal 
Extremes
These regions 
experience 
dramatic 
temperature 
variations 
between 
seasons, 
shaping both 
the ecosystem 
and human 
activities.
Different Names in Different Places
North America
Known as The 
Prairies, these 
grasslands stretch 
across central 
United States and 
parts of Canada, 
forming the Great 
Plains region.
South America
Called Pampas, 
these fertile 
lowlands cover 
parts of Argentina, 
Uruguay, and Brazil, 
supporting 
extensive cattle 
ranching and 
agriculture.
Eurasia
The Steppes extend 
from Eastern 
Europe through 
Central Asia, 
historically home to 
nomadic cultures 
and important trade 
routes.
Southern 
Hemisphere
In Australia, they're 
called Downs, while 
South Africa has 
Velds and East 
Africa features 
Savannas, each 
with unique 
characteristics 
shaped by local 
conditions.
Page 5


Temperate Grasslands: 
The Prairies
What are The Prairies?
Definition
Prairies are large, flat 
or slightly hilly areas 
covered mostly by 
grasses. They have 
fertile soil, making 
them ideal for plant 
growth and 
supporting diverse 
flora and fauna.
Climate
They feature a 
continental climate 
characterized by hot 
summers, cold 
winters, and 
moderate rainfall, 
creating distinct 
seasonal patterns.
Location
Found in North America, Eurasia, and Australia, 
these temperate grasslands lie between 23.5° and 
66.5° latitude in both northern and southern 
hemispheres.
Major Features of 
The Prairies
Rich Soil
Prairies are 
known for their 
exceptionally 
fertile soil, 
developed over 
thousands of 
years from 
decomposed 
grass roots and 
organic matter.
Grass 
Dominance
The landscape 
is dominated by 
various grass 
species that 
have adapted to 
survive 
seasonal 
extremes and 
grazing 
pressure.
Seasonal 
Extremes
These regions 
experience 
dramatic 
temperature 
variations 
between 
seasons, 
shaping both 
the ecosystem 
and human 
activities.
Different Names in Different Places
North America
Known as The 
Prairies, these 
grasslands stretch 
across central 
United States and 
parts of Canada, 
forming the Great 
Plains region.
South America
Called Pampas, 
these fertile 
lowlands cover 
parts of Argentina, 
Uruguay, and Brazil, 
supporting 
extensive cattle 
ranching and 
agriculture.
Eurasia
The Steppes extend 
from Eastern 
Europe through 
Central Asia, 
historically home to 
nomadic cultures 
and important trade 
routes.
Southern 
Hemisphere
In Australia, they're 
called Downs, while 
South Africa has 
Velds and East 
Africa features 
Savannas, each 
with unique 
characteristics 
shaped by local 
conditions.
Rainfall varies
100 cm
Eastern Rainfall
The eastern regions of prairie 
ecosystems receive 
approximately 100 cm of annual 
precipitation, supporting taller 
grasses and more diverse plant 
communities.
30 cm
Western Rainfall
Western prairie areas receive 
significantly less moisture, 
averaging around 30 cm of 
rainfall annually, resulting in 
shorter grasses and more 
drought-resistant vegetation.
70 cm
Rainfall Gradient
This precipitation gradient from 
east to west creates distinct 
ecological zones and influences 
the types of agriculture and land 
use possible in different regions.