Grasslands are one of the most important ecosystems on earth and are divided into various types such as tropical grasslands and temperate grasslands. They are also the most widely distributed type of vegetation on earth.
Grasslands have existed since the earth had water. The main reason for the formation of grasslands is the thin surface soil or low precipitation, which is not suitable for the growth of large vegetation. Although grasslands are beautiful, the ecosystem is extremely fragile.
China is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of grassland resources, with a total grassland area of nearly 400 million hectares, accounting for 40% of the country's total land area and three times the current arable land area.
Among the many grasslands in the world, four grasslands are recognized as the "Four Great Grasslands of the World". They are Hulunbuir Grassland, Bayinbulak Grassland, Nalat Grassland, and Pampas Steppe. Except for the Pampa's Steppe, which is located in the south of South America, the other three grasslands are located in China.
1. Hulunbuir Grassland
Hulunbuir Grassland is located in the eastern part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, west of the Greater Khingan Range. It is named after Hulun Lake and Bell Lake.
Hulunbuir Grassland is the most well-preserved grassland in China and is one of the top four grasslands in the world. It is known as the best grassland in the world and is also referred to as the "Kingdom of Grassland" because of its abundant water and grass.
2. Bayinbulak Grassland
Bayinbulak Grassland is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, with an altitude of about 2,500 meters and an area of 23,835 square kilometers. It is the second-largest grassland in China, after Hulunbuir Grassland in Inner Mongolia. Bayinbulak means "rich spring" in Mongolian.
The grassland is a typical grassland of grass meadows and is one of the most important livestock bases in Xinjiang. It is not only a paradise surrounded by snow-capped mountains but also an elegant and charming Swan Lake.
3. Nalat Grassland
Nalat Grassland is located in Xinyuan County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, in the eastern part of Xinyuan Nalat Town. Nalat Grassland is one of the four major grasslands in the world, a subalpine meadow flora area that has been a famous pasture since ancient times. The river valley, mountain peaks, deep gorges, and forests are intertwined. Local people can also experience Kazakh folk customs.
4. Pampas Steppe
Pampas Steppe is a subtropical steppe located in the south of South America, in the middle and east of Argentina. It covers an area of 760,000 square kilometers, including the grasslands of Gelenchaco in the north, the Patagonian Plateau in the south, the Andean foothills in the west, and the Atlantic Ocean in the east.
"Pampas" is derived from the Indian Chukya language, meaning "grassland without trees," and is a relatively unique type of vegetation in South America. In terms of zonation and climatic conditions, the region is suitable for the growth of trees.
In reality, apart from the forest corridor along the riverbanks, the landscape is predominantly unfettered grassland, referred to as the Pampas community. Within this expanse, the prevailing vegetation consists of sclerophyllous grasses like needle fescue, trichosanthes, and stinkweed, alongside numerous other dicotyledons.