stepní

Stepní is a Czech adjective meaning related to the steppe, a vast grassland plain in temperate regions. It is used in geography, ecology, and biology to describe landscapes (stepní krajina), vegetation (stepní flora), and animals adapted to open steppe habitats (stepní fauna).

The steppe biome is characterized by semi-arid to arid climates with low to moderate rainfall, hot summers and cold winters, and soils that range from deep, fertile Chernozems to lighter soils. Vegetation is dominated by drought-tolerant grasses and herbaceous species, with few trees. Steppe regions occur across the Pontic-Caspian steppe of Eurasia and in similar grassland zones elsewhere, such as the Great Plains. In many areas, steppe ecosystems have been altered by agriculture, grazing, and urban development, leading to fragmentation and loss of biodiversity.

In terms of usage, stepní appears in compound terms such as stepní krajina, stepní tráva, stepní rostliny, and stepní fauna. The word is common in scientific and educational contexts and conveys a precise ecological meaning, distinguishing steppe environments from other grasslands or forests in the Czech language.