Distribution
The Steppe climate, also known as the Cool Temperate Continental Climate, is found in the interior parts of continents, generally between 35° and 55° latitudes in both hemispheres. These regions lie in the rain-shadow of mountain ranges or are too far from oceans to receive much rain.
In the Northern Hemisphere:
- Eurasian Steppes: From Ukraine and southern Russia to Kazakhstan and Mongolia.
- North American Prairies: Central parts of Canada and the USA (e.g., Dakota, Nebraska).
- Manchurian plains in China.
In the Southern Hemisphere:
- Pampas of Argentina
- Downs of Australia
- Veld of South Africa
These regions may go by different local names but share similar climates and landscapes.
Climate
The Steppe climate is marked by extreme seasonal contrasts and low, unreliable rainfall.
In the Northern Hemisphere:
- Very cold winters with snow, and hot summers with clear skies.
- Annual rainfall is low, around 250–500 mm, mostly in late spring or early summer.
- Large temperature range, both seasonally and diurnally (day-night difference).
- Winds are often dry, and evaporation rates are high.
In the Southern Hemisphere:
- The temperature extremes are less severe because the landmasses are narrower.
- Summers are still hot, but winters are milder.
- Rainfall is slightly higher and more regular compared to the north.
- These regions have more reliable pastures and are better suited to farming.
Local Winds
Several important local winds influence the Steppe regions:
- Chinook (North America): A warm, dry wind that blows down the eastern slopes of the Rockies. It can melt snow quickly and raise temperatures dramatically within hours.
- Buran (Eurasia): A bitterly cold and dry wind that blows across the Russian steppes in winter.
- Pampero (Argentina): A cold wind that sweeps across the Pampas, often after thunderstorms. These winds often shape daily life by influencing weather, farming, and even human settlements.
Natural Vegetation
The natural vegetation of Steppe regions is grassland, with very few trees.
Features:
- Dominated by short to medium-tall grasses, which turn brown during the dry season.
- No forests because of the lack of moisture.
- Trees are found only along river valleys or in areas where the water table is high.
- In North America: the short-grass and tall-grass prairies
- In Eurasia: the Eurasian steppes with tough grasses like feather grass and bunch grass
Over time, much of this natural vegetation has been replaced by farmland.
Economic Development
These open, flat, fertile grasslands have made Steppe regions ideal for large-scale agriculture and animal husbandry. Development patterns vary by region:
Nomadic Herding
- Practiced traditionally in Central Asia (e.g., Mongolia, Kazakhstan).
- Nomads rear animals like sheep, goats, yaks, camels, and horses, moving in search of pasture and water.
- Though this lifestyle is declining, it still continues in more remote regions.
Extensive Mechanised Wheat Cultivation
- Particularly well-developed in the USA, Canada, and Ukraine.
- Vast farmlands with mechanised tools are used to grow spring and winter wheat.
- Known as “breadbaskets of the world” because of their massive grain output.
- Requires large capital, skilled labor, and infrastructure.
Pastoral Farming
- In the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, Argentina, South Africa), vast grasslands support ranching.
- Cattle and sheep are reared on large stations or estancias.
- Wool, beef, and hides are major exports.
- Pastoral farming here is mostly commercial and uses modern techniques.
