Eurasia's steppe grassland is the largest grassland in the world. Steppe means grassy plain in Russian. The steppe once covered 2, 500 miles (4,023 kilometers) of land from western Russia to central Asia. Another Temperate grassland, called the puszta, which resides just west of the steppe dominates most of Hungary. A moist grassland known as the prairie fills in central lowlands between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains. South America's largest grassland, called pampa, which means plain, covers most east-central areas of Argentina. Human-made temperate grasslands are still used in Germany, France, England, and in mainly Mediterranean areas for livestock. Other, smaller grasslands can be found in New Zealand, the European Alps, coarse Patana in Sri Lanka's highlands, coarse cushions in the South American puna

Plants in temperate grasslands need to adapt to cold winters, hot summers, and drying winds. Since plant dryness is always a factor in every temperate grassland, plants have adapted ways to conserve water. One way they conserve water is by having thin, needle-like shaped leaves that expose little of the plant to the sun. Seventy percent of the plant is also underground, avoiding sun and wind. Some grasses even slow their respiratory rate so less water is lost to the sun. Grasses are almost impossible to kill. They have extensive root webs that prevent grazing animals from pulling their roots out of the ground. Since grass grows upward from its base, it is less likely to be damaged by fires, animals, and humans than are most other plants. This is one reason why grass grows back after it has been mowed. During dry winter months, the grass's roots find water deep underground. One single grass plant in the steppe or prairie may have a network of roots and root hair that equal two to three miles (3.2 to 4.8 kilometers) long. There are two different growing types in the temperate grasslands: perennial and an

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