what are steppes
In physical geography, a steppe (Russian: ÑÑÐµÐ¿Ñ, step' ; [sÊ²tÊ²epÊ²]. ) is an ecoregion, in the montane grasslands and shrublands and temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biomes, characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes.he world's largest steppe region, often referred to as the Great Steppe , is found in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and neighbouring countries stretching from Ukraine in the west through Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to the Altai, Koppet Dag and Tian Shan ranges.