temperate grassland

Temperate grasslands, also known as prairies, are vast, level to rolling areas dominated by grasses, typically found between forests and deserts. They receive moderate rainfall, generally between 10 to 12 inches annually, which is crucial for maintaining grassland ecosystems as opposed to deserts or forests.123

In North America, these grasslands are primarily located on the Great Plains. The vegetation varies with rainfall: tallgrass prairies exist in more humid eastern regions, while midgrass and shortgrass prairies are found further west where rainfall decreases. These environments experience distinct seasons with hot summers and cold winters. Historically, these areas supported large grazing mammals like bison, but much of the native prairie has been converted to agricultural land.13245