Theory question 206
Vegetation(a) Describe the characteristics of the cool temperate grasslands (b) Outline five factors which affect the distribution of this vegetation type
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Model answer
(a) Short, soft, nutritious grasses (prairies, steppes, pampas, veld, downs); almost treeless except along rivers; grass grows in spring and early summer, dries in late summer and dies back under winter snow; flowers in spring; deep black (chernozem) soils.
(b) Low rainfall (about 250-750 mm) mostly in early summer; continental location far from the sea; cold winters and warm summers; frequent fires; grazing animals; relief (plains); soils; human activity (ploughing for wheat).
Explanation
Link the factors to why trees are few.