The Tropical SavannaPowerpoint by Alexand Roxy Cativiela

What is it, and where’s it found?

• Grassland, shrubs, trees• Africa – Acacia• Australia – Eucalyptus

Weather, Climate, Soil

• Warm year round (68˚–86˚ F)• Long dry winter (4 in)• Very wet summer (15 – 25 in)• Soil is extremely porous• Can catch fire when very dry

Adaptations

• Small burrowing animals – dormant – drought.• Grass – grows quickly – adequate water. Fire

stimulates growth. Replenishes nutrients in soil. Turns brown to limit water loss.

• Grass – too sharp or bitter – avoid competition.• Baobob – leafless in dry season, stores water in

trunk.

Adaptations Continued• Acacia – long tap roots, fire

resistant.• Ants live in Acacia thorns.

Used as defense when consumers.

• Large ears on some animals to help cool body.

•Poisonous alkaloid emitted into leaves and air when giraffes try to consume.

Balance and Dependency (Biodiversity)

• Over 40 species of hoofed mammals• Over 16 species of browsers• Height, time of day or year, location• Grass – Herbivores• Herds of mammals – Carnivores

• Overgrazing

Food Chain

• Producers - trees, shrubs, grass.• Primary Consumers –zebras, gazelles, giraffes,

elephants.• Secondary Consumers –cheetahs, lions,

hyenas, crocodiles, wild dogs, leopards.• Scavengers –termites, vultures, hyenas.• Decomposers (Detrivores) – mushrooms,

insects, microorganisms.

Cool Facts• Christ’s Crown of Thorns –

Acacia• Acacia is used as flavoring.

Treats sore throat, helps the digestive tract.

• The Baobob tree – Bottom’s up. Trunk diameter - 12 meters. Can live thousands of years. Shelter.

• The candelabra tree - poisonous. White sap from the inner tree can cause blister on skin, blinds eyes, breathing the fumes burns. Sticky poisonous latex and sharp spines prevents feeding.

More Facts

• Eucalyptus in medicines to treat: infections, colds, flu, sore throats, bronchitis, pneumonia, aching, stiffness, neuralgia, skin infections.

• The River Bushwillow (Hiccup Nut) seed causes violent hiccups.

• Umbrella Thorn Acacia can survive in 122° F temperatures during the day, and freezing temperatures at nights.

• Over 700 Acacia species in Africa.• Elephants can’t jump. Wanted for tusks.• Zebra’s are black with white stripes.

Tourism Information

• Savannah Overland Expeditions• 10 week trip (72 days)• 10 countries (Kenya, Uganda, Congo/Rwanda,

Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa)

• http://www.savannahoverland.com/• Safety: Disease, Animals• Many fun activities!

Quiz on what you’ve learned

1. Where is the largest Savanna located?2. What is the niche of the hyena?3. What is the dominant tree of the Australian

Savanna?4. Name one adaptation.5. What is another name for the River

Bushwillow?

Credits

• http://www.bioinquiry.vt.edu/bioinquiry/cheetah/cheetahpaid/cheetahhtmls/foodweb.gif

• http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/savannahP.html

• http://blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna.htm