AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Grasslands go by many names. In the United States Midwest, they’re often called prairies. In South America, they’re known as pampas. Central Eurasian grasslands are referred to as steppes, while African grasslands are savannas.

Detailed explanation-2: -The tropical grasslands in Africa are known as savannah. In these areas alternate wet and dry seasons results in the growth of a distinctive coarse and tall grass with scattered trees. Soil is not very fertile.

Detailed explanation-3: -A steppe is a dry, grassy plain. Steppes occur in temperate climates, which lie between the tropics and polar regions. Temperate regions have distinct seasonal temperature changes, with cold winters and warm summers. Steppes are semi-arid, meaning they receive 25 to 50 centimeters (10-20 inches) of rain each year.

Detailed explanation-4: -In our state, there are two main types of native grasslands: prairie and savanna. The difference between the two is based on the percent of land covered by trees. Prairies have virtually no tree cover (less than 10 percent), and savannas have less than 30 percent tree cover.

Detailed explanation-5: -Savannas lie closer to the equator than steppes and, thus, are warmer than steppes. Being closer to the rainforest means that savannas have two major seasons: a hot, wet summer and a marginally cooler, but much drier winter. Steppes, by contrast, lie further from the equator and in sheltered areas.