Final answer:
Temperate grasslands, also known as prairies or steppes, are ecosystems with moderate precipitation and fertile soils, where fire management is critical for maintaining the grass-dominated landscape.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temperate grasslands are widespread ecosystems characterized by their dominant vegetation—grasses. These regions experience annual fluctuations in temperature with hot summers and cold winters, creating specific growing seasons in the spring, summer, and fall. Precipitation is moderate, typically ranging from 25 cm to 75 cm (9.8-29.5 in); this, combined with other factors such as frequent fires and grazing, maintains the grassland's treeless expanse. The soils in temperate grasslands are highly fertile, enriched with organic material from the dense network of grass roots and rhizomes below the surface. These roots also anchor the grasses firmly into the soil, contributing to the ecosystem's sustainability.
Fire plays a critical role in maintaining the grassland biome, with natural occurrences often triggered by lightning. Historically, humans have also used controlled burns to manage and restore these grasslands. These fires help to suppress tree growth, ensuring that grasses remain the predominant vegetation. Areas where fires are suppressed can transition into scrubland or even dense forests over time. Temperate grasslands, also called prairies in North America and steppes in Eurasia, are therefore shaped by both natural elements and human management practices.