Steppe

The steppe, a semiarid ecosystem, can be defined in terms of climatic conditions or vegetative land cover. In terms of climate, the steppe is considered semi-desert. According to the popular Köppen climate classification system, the steppe corresponds to the BSk (mid-latitude, cold, and semiarid) and BSh (low latitude, hot, and semiarid) climate types. The steppe in low latitude regions features yearly average precipitation typically between 15 inches (38 centimeters) and 30 inches (76 centimeters), while that in mid-latitude regions features typical yearly average precipitation between 10 inches (25 centimeters) and 25 inches (64 centimeters). The subtropical steppe (BSh) and mid-latitude steppe (BSk) climates are found fringing deserts in the far [Page 1663]interior of large landmasses or in the distant reaches of the rain shadow of ...