Theory question 208
Vegetation(a) Highlight four differences between the Tropical Grassland and the Temperate Grassland. (b) Describe the climate associated with one of the vegetation belts in 8(a) above.
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(a) Tropical grassland lies between about 5° and 20° N and S; temperate grassland in the interior of continents at about 30°-55°. Tropical grasses are tall (1-3 m) and coarse; temperate grasses are short, soft and nutritious. Tropical grassland has scattered trees (baobab, acacia, shea); temperate grassland is almost treeless (trees mainly along rivers, e.g. willows, poplars). Tropical grass grows in the wet season and dries in the dry season; temperate grass grows in spring and summer and dies back in the cold winter. Local names: savanna, llanos, campos (tropical); prairies, steppes, pampas, veld, downs (temperate).
(b) Tropical grassland (savanna): hot all year (about 21-32°C), annual range 5-11°C; distinct wet season (summer) and long dry season; rainfall 500-1,500 mm, convectional, single maximum; high humidity in the wet season, low in the dry season with harmattan dust. OR Temperate grassland: continental, hot summers (about 20-25°C) and very cold winters (below freezing), large annual range; low rainfall (250-750 mm) mainly in early summer; dry winters with snow.
Compare the two by location, grass, trees and seasons.