Climatic Conditions

Temperature: Their location in the heart of continents means that they have little maritime influence. Their climate is thus continental with extremes of temperature. Summers are very warm, over 19°C. Winters are very cold in the continental steppes of Eurasia because of the enormous distances from the nearest sea. The winter months are well below freezing. In contrast, the steppe type of climate in the southern hemisphere is never severe. The winters are mild. Temperatures below freezing point even in midwinter (July in the southern hemisphere) are exceptional.

Precipitation: In its continental position, the annual precipitation of the Steppe Climate is light. The average rainfall may be taken as about 20 inches, but this again varies according to location from 10 inches to 30 inches. The maritime influence in the steppe type of climate of the southern hemisphere is even better brought out by the rainfall regime. Its annual precipitation is always more than the average 20 inches because of the warm ocean currents that wash the shores of the steppe-lands.

Natural Vegetation: The reference to steppe grassland is taken to mean the temperate grasslands of the mid-latitudes, the Steppes, Prairies, Pampas, Veld and Downs. The steppes are grass covered, differing only in the density and quality of the grass. Their greatest difference from the tropical savannah is that they are practically treeless and the grasses are much

shorter. Where the rainfall is moderate, above 20 inches, the grasses are tall, fresh and nutritious and are better described as long prairie grass. The appearance of the temperate grasslands varies with seasons. Trees are very scarce in the steppes, because of the scanty rainfall, long droughts and severe winters.

Economy: The grasslands have been ploughed up for extensive, mechanized wheat cultivation and are now the ‘granaries of the world’. Besides wheat, maize is increasingly cultivated in the warmer and wetter areas. The tufted grasses have been replaced by the more nutritious Lucerne or alfalfa grass.