A steppe is usually covered with
grass and
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.
Steppes are usually characterized by a semi-arid or
continental[citation needed] climate. Extremes can be recorded in the summer of up to 45 °C (115 °F) and in winter of down to −55 °C (−65 °F). Besides this major seasonal difference, fluctuations between day and night are also very great. In both the highlands of
Mongolia and northern
Nevada, 30 °C (85 °F) can be reached during the day with sub-freezing readings at night.
Steppes average 250–500 mm (10–20 in) of annual
precipitation and feature hot summers and cold winters when located in mid-latitudes. In addition to the precipitation level, its combination with
potential evapotranspiration defines a steppe climate.
Subtropical steppe: a similar association of plants occurring in the driest areas with a
Mediterranean climate[failed verification]; it usually has a short wet period
In
South America, cold steppe can be found in
Patagonia and much of the high elevation regions east of the southern
Andes.
Relatively small steppe areas can be found in the interior of the
South Island of
New Zealand.
In
Australia, a moderately sized temperate steppe region exists in the northern and northwest regions of
Victoria, extending to the southern and mid regions of
New South Wales. This area borders the semi-arid and arid Australian
Outback which is found farther inland on the continent.
In
Australia, subtropical steppe can be found in a belt surrounding the most severe deserts of the continent and around the
Musgrave Ranges.
In
North America this environment is typical of transition areas between zones with a Mediterranean climate and true deserts, such as
Reno, Nevada, the inner part of
California, and much of
western Texas and adjacent areas in Mexico.
^
Compare:
Chibilyov, Alexander (2002). "Steppe and Forest-steppe". In Shahgedanova, Maria (ed.).
The Physical Geography of Northern Eurasia. Oxford regional environments. Vol. 3 (reprint ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press (published 2003). p. 248.
ISBN9780198233848. Retrieved 30 January 2020. There are many definitions of steppes. For example, Allan (1946) provides fifty-four definitions of this term. Stamp and Clark (1979) define steppes as 'mid-latitude areas dominated by herbaceous vegetation and termed locally steppes, prairies, pampas, high veldts, downland, etc.'
A steppe is usually covered with
grass and
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.
Steppes are usually characterized by a semi-arid or
continental[citation needed] climate. Extremes can be recorded in the summer of up to 45 °C (115 °F) and in winter of down to −55 °C (−65 °F). Besides this major seasonal difference, fluctuations between day and night are also very great. In both the highlands of
Mongolia and northern
Nevada, 30 °C (85 °F) can be reached during the day with sub-freezing readings at night.
Steppes average 250–500 mm (10–20 in) of annual
precipitation and feature hot summers and cold winters when located in mid-latitudes. In addition to the precipitation level, its combination with
potential evapotranspiration defines a steppe climate.
Subtropical steppe: a similar association of plants occurring in the driest areas with a
Mediterranean climate[failed verification]; it usually has a short wet period
In
South America, cold steppe can be found in
Patagonia and much of the high elevation regions east of the southern
Andes.
Relatively small steppe areas can be found in the interior of the
South Island of
New Zealand.
In
Australia, a moderately sized temperate steppe region exists in the northern and northwest regions of
Victoria, extending to the southern and mid regions of
New South Wales. This area borders the semi-arid and arid Australian
Outback which is found farther inland on the continent.
In
Australia, subtropical steppe can be found in a belt surrounding the most severe deserts of the continent and around the
Musgrave Ranges.
In
North America this environment is typical of transition areas between zones with a Mediterranean climate and true deserts, such as
Reno, Nevada, the inner part of
California, and much of
western Texas and adjacent areas in Mexico.
^
Compare:
Chibilyov, Alexander (2002). "Steppe and Forest-steppe". In Shahgedanova, Maria (ed.).
The Physical Geography of Northern Eurasia. Oxford regional environments. Vol. 3 (reprint ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press (published 2003). p. 248.
ISBN9780198233848. Retrieved 30 January 2020. There are many definitions of steppes. For example, Allan (1946) provides fifty-four definitions of this term. Stamp and Clark (1979) define steppes as 'mid-latitude areas dominated by herbaceous vegetation and termed locally steppes, prairies, pampas, high veldts, downland, etc.'