Life in the Temperate Grasslands Class 7 Extra Questions Social Science Geography Chapter 9
NCERT Extra Questions for Class 7 Social Science Geography Chapter 9 Life in the Temperate Grasslands
Prelude
- Grasslands spread almost over 25% of the total land surface.
- The type of plants that grow in grasslands greatly depend on the type of climate and the type of soil.
- Climate plays an important role in the formation of grasslands.
- Hence it is generally used as a basis to divide the World’s Grasslands.
- They are classified into two broad categories:
- Temperate Grasslands: They grow in the temperate regions.
- Tropical Grasslands: They occur in the tropical regions.
- Savannah – East Africa
- Campos – Brazil
- Linos – Venezuela
Temperate grasslands:
- Pampas – Argentina
- Prairie – North America
- Veld – South Africa
- Steppe – Central Asia
- Down – Australia.
The Prairies
- It is region of flat, gently sloping or hilly land,
- They are covered chiefly by grasses.
Prairies are treeless but, woodlands can be found near the low lying plains, flanked by river valleys.
- Trees are few and far between.
- They are actually a “sea of grass.”
- The prairies are bound by the Rocky Mountains in West and the Great Lakes in the East.
- They cover parts of United States of America and parts of Canada.
- In the U.S.A., the area is drained by the tributaries of Mississippi.
- The Canadian Prairies are drained by the tributaries of Saskatchewan Rivers.
Climate
- The prairies are located in the heart of North American Continent.
- The climate is of continental type with extremities of temperatures.
- Summers are warm with temperatures of around 20°C.
- In winter temperatures of -20°C are recorded in Winnipeg, Canada. During this season thick blanket of snow covers the region.
- The annual rainfall is moderate.
- It is ideal for the growth of grass.
- Due to the absence of the north-south barter, a local wind “chinook” blows here. It is hot and raises the temperature in winter in a short time.
- This increase in temperature results in melting of snow.making pasture Jiand available for grazing.
Flora and Fauna
- Prairies are practically treeless.
- With the availability of winter, trees like willows, alders and poplars grow here and there.
Places that receive rainfall of over 50 cm. are suitable for farming due to fertile soil.
- Major crop of this area is maize.
- Potatoes, soyabean, cotton and alfa-alfa are also grown in this region.
Areas where rainfall is very less or unreliable, grasses are short and sparse.
- These areas are suitable for cattle rearing.
- Large cattle farms called ranches are looked after by sturdy men called cowboys.
- Bison or the American buffalo is the most important animal of this region.
- Bison nearly got extinct due to its indiscriminate hunting.
- It is now a protected species.
- The other animals found in this region include rabbits, coyotes, gophers and Prairie dogs.
People
- People of the prairie grasslands are very hardworking.
- They have successfully used technology to utilise their rich natural resources.
- There are two most developed countries in the world.
- They are USA and Canada.
- Prairie region spreads in both the countries.
- Scientific methods of cultivation and use of tractors, harvesters and combines have made North America a surplus food producer.
- The prairies are also known as “Granaries of the World” due to the huge surplus of wheat production.
- Dairy farming is another major industry.
- The dairy belt extends from the Great Lakes region to the Atlantic coast in the east.
- Dairy farming and extensive agriculture both promote setting up of food processing industries in this region. People are engaged in their activities in large numbers.
- Large mineral deposits particularly coal and iron ore found in abundance here.
- There is a good network of roads, railways and canals in this region.
- Both these have made it the most industrialised region in the world.
- Chicago
- Mineapolis
- Indianapolis
- Kansas
- Denver
In Canadian Prairies the important cities are:
- Edmonton
- Saskatoon
- Calgary
- Winnipeg
The Velds
- Velds are the temperate grasslands of South Africa.
- They are rolling plateaus with varying heights between 600 m and 1100 m.
- The region is bounded by the Drakensburg Mountains on the east, by the Kalahari desert on the west and by “high Velds” on the north-eastern part.
- On the north-eastern part, the region attains a height of more than 1600 m in some places.
- The countries that are covered by the Velds are:
- Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Sawaziland and Lesotho. –
- The tributaries of River Orange and Limpopo drain the region.
Climate
Winters are cold and dry.
- Temperatures vary between 5°C and 10°C.
- July is the coldest month.
- The rainfall is scanty in the winter months from June till August.
- During the period drought may occur.
Summers are short and warm.
- Johannesburg records about 20°C temperature in the summer.
- The Velds receive rainfall mainly in the summer months from November to February.
- This is mainly because of the warm rear currents that wash the shores of the Velds.
Flora and Fauna
- In the Velds grasslands vegetation is sparse.
- Grasses dominate the landscape.
- Red grass grows in bush Velds.
- In the high Velds acacia and maroola grow well.
- The animals of the Velds are primarily lions, leopards, cheetah and kudu.
People
- In the Velds, people are engaged in cattle rearing and mining.
- The soils are not very fertile in the Velds due to the presence of discontinuous grasses exposing barren surface.
In the areas where land is fertile, crops are grown.
- Main crops of the region are maize, wheat, barley, oats and potatoes.
- Cash crops like tobacco, sugarcane and cotton are also grown.
Sheep rearing is the most important occupation of the people.
- Sheep is bred mainly for wool.
- Easy availability of wool has given rise to the woollen industry in the Velds.
- Merino sheep is a popular species.
Dairy farming is the other important occupation of the people.
- Cattle are reared in the warmer and wetter regions.
- Major dairy products like butter, cheese are produced for both domestic supply and also for export.
- The Velds have rich reserve of minerals.
- Iron and steel industry has developed where coal and iron are mined.
Gold and diamond mining are major occupations of the people of this region.
- Johannesburg is known for being the Gold Capital of the world.
- Kimberley is famous for its diamond mines.
Mining of diamond and gold in South Africa led to the establishment of trade ties with Britain.
- South Africa gradually became a British Colony.
- This mineral rich area has a well-developed network of transport and communication.
Objective Type Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Prelude
The Prairies
Climate
Flora and Fauna
People
The Velds
Climate
Flora and Fauna
People