Tropical Grasslands - Savanna

Tropical GrasslandSavanna

By: Zahid Imran

Distribution 5o-30o north and south of equator Llanos (Venezuela), Campos (Brazil),

Central and Southern parts of Africa, Australia, Mexico and India

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ClimateTemperature

20o-30o CelsiusAverage Rainfall

High temperature all year round with a rainy season

100-400 mm per year (80% in rainy season)Sunlight Lots of sun during dry season

Grasses become parched


Soil Fertility

Soil Fertility Sandy, dusty, high

iron content (reddish color) Not very rich

Termites turn the soil to air it

Dead plant matter can’t decompose in dry season


CharacteristicsVegetation

100-200 mm rainfall-only grasses

300 mm rainfall-shrubs

400 mm rainfall-solitary trees


Limiting Factors

Rain

Fire

Soil Fertility


Adaptations

Grasses < 1 meter height Elephant Grass > 5

meters in wetter seasons Plants

Abundant in wet seasons but the leaves dry during dry seasons

Trees-deciduous-lose leaves in winter


Adaptations

Leaves Waxy to prevent water

loss Some trees have thorns in

place of leaves

Trunks Swollen to store water Thick bark


AdaptationsRoots

The trees have long roots to tap underground water

The grasses wither in dry seasons, roots remain dormant that spring to life in rainy season.

Grasses have long roots


AdaptationsSoil

Thin layer of humus covers the porous soil


Adaptations

Defense Thorns and leathery,

sharp leaves for protection

Toxic chemicals


Savanna Food Web


By: Zahid Imran

Education

Tropical Grasslands - Savanna