Steppes are usually characterized by a semi-arid orcontinental[citation needed] climate. Temperature 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 significant: in both the highlands ofMongolia and northernNevada, 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 withpotential evapotranspiration defines a steppe climate.
Subtropical steppe: a similar association of plants occurring in the driest areas with aMediterranean climate;[failed verification] it usually has a short wet period
InSouth America, cold steppe can be found inPatagonia and much of the high elevation regions east of the southernAndes.
Relatively small steppe areas can be found in the interior of theSouth Island ofNew Zealand.
InAustralia, a moderately sized temperate steppe region exists in the northern and northwest regions ofVictoria, extending to the southern and mid regions ofNew South Wales. This area borders the semi-arid and arid AustralianOutback which is found farther inland on the continent.
InAustralia, subtropical steppe can be found in a belt surrounding the most severe deserts of the continent and around theMusgrave Ranges.
InNorth America this environment is typical of transition areas between zones with a Mediterranean climate and true deserts, such asReno, Nevada, the inner part ofCalifornia, and much ofwestern Texas and adjacent areas in Mexico.
Humans have severe impacts on their environments. Among many examples the following two give only an impression.
The formation of the forest steppe of Eastern Europe in the fourth millennium BC appeared in the context of theTrypillia culture and very probably, the economy of this culture with its large settlements contributed to the process.[7]
The formation of theBłędów Desert in Poland in the Middle Ages was certainly man-made.[8]
^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.ISBN978-0-19-823384-8. Retrieved30 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.'
