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Concept
Steppe
Summary
In physical geography, a steppe (stɛp) is an ecoregion characterized by grassland plains without trees except near rivers and lakes.
Steppe biomes may include:
the montane grasslands and shrublands biome
the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome
A steppe may be semi-arid that is covered with grass and/or with shrubs, depending on the season and latitude. The term "steppe climate" denotes a semi-arid climate, which is encountered in regions too dry to support a forest, but not dry enough to be a desert. Steppe soils are typically of the chernozem type.
Steppes are usually characterized by a semi-arid or continental climate. Extremes can be recorded in the summer of up to and in winter of down to . Besides this major seasonal difference, fluctuations between day and night are also very great. In both the highlands of Mongolia and northern Nevada, can be reached during the day with sub-freezing readings at night.
Mid-latitude steppes feature hot summers and cold winters, averaging of precipitation per year. The precipitation level alone does not define a steppe climate; also potential evapotranspiration plays a large role in its formation.
Steppe can be classified by climate:
Temperate steppe: the "true" steppe, found in continental areas of the world; they can be further subdivided, as in the Rocky Mountains Steppes
Subtropical steppe: a similar association of plants occurring in the driest areas with a Mediterranean-like climate; it usually has a short wet period
It can also be classified by vegetation type, e.g. shrub-steppe and alpine-steppe.
The Eurasian Grass-Steppe, with its temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands, is speculated to have had a role in the spread of the horse, the wheel, and the Indo-European languages.
The world's largest steppe region, often referred to as "the Great Steppe", is found in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and neighbouring countries stretching from Ukraine in the west through Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to the Altai, Koppet Dag and Tian Shan ranges in China.
Official source
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