Tropical Grassland -Savanna-

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Tropical Grassland -Savanna-. Climate. Temperature 20 o -30 o Celsius Average Rainfall 100-400 mm per year (80% in wet season) Sunlight Lots of sun during dry season Grasses are mostly C4. Soil Fertility Sandy, dusty, high iron content (reddish color) Not very rich - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Tropical Grassland -Savanna-

  • Tropical Grassland-Savanna-

  • ClimateTemperature20o-30o CelsiusAverage Rainfall100-400 mm per year (80% in wet season)SunlightLots of sun during dry seasonGrasses are mostly C4

  • Soil FertilitySoil FertilitySandy, dusty, high iron content (reddish color) Not very richTermites turn the soil to air itDead plant matter cant decompose in dry season

  • Seasonal ChangesWet4-5 monthsEquatorial low pressure beltHeavy convectional storms80% total annual rainfallDryStrong, steady trade windsDry and warm as they blow towards equator

  • CharacteristicsVegetation100-200 mm rainfall-only grasses300 mm rainfall-shrubs< 300 mm rainfall-solitary trees< 400 mm rainfall- trees, canopy, shade Trees-deciduous-lose leaves in winterShrubs/Grasses-C4

  • GeographyLocation5o-15o north and south of equatorLlanos (Venezuela), Campos (Brazil), Central Africa, Australia, Mexico

  • Limiting FactorsRainFireSoil Fertility

  • Animal Life and AdaptationsForm herds and colonies for protectionCare for young Lookout for predators

    Meekrat- Suricata suricatta siricata Nigriceps Ant- Crematogaster nigriceps

  • Animal Life and AdaptationsGrazing herbivores adopt migratory lifestylesLong legs, wings

    African Elephant- Loxodonta africanaGrants Zebra- Equus burchelli bohmi

  • Animal Life and AdaptationsAnimals give birth only during rainy seasonFood is abundant More offspring than predators

    Dama Gazelle- Gazella dama

  • Animal Life and Adaptations

    Herbivores reduce competition for foodFeed at different heights Giraffe- Giraffa camelopardalisDarma dik-dik- Madoqua kirkii

  • Animal Life and Adaptations

    Small animals burrow deep undergroundWaterDormant during dry season African Ground Squirrel- Xerus inauris

  • Plant Life and AdaptationsFireThick, fire resistant barkBuds in bark sprout after firesSeeds that germinate in ashes Bottle trees- Adansonia digitata

  • Plant Life and AdaptationsFireLignotubers

    Eucalyptus trees- Eucalyptus globulus

  • Plant Life and AdaptationsWaterdrought deciduous River Bushwillow- Combretum erythrophyllum

  • Plant Life and AdaptationsWaterLong roots extending far underground (Taproot system)Corkscrew-shaped awns

    Red Oat Grass- Themeda triandra

  • Plant Life and AdaptationsDefenseThorns and leathery,sharp leaves for protectionToxic chemicals

    Elephant Grass- Pennistum purpureum Whistling Thorn tree- Acacia dreparalobium

  • Plant Life and AdaptationsSenegal Gum Acacia- Acacia senegal

    Jackal Berry Tree- Diospyros mespiliformis

  • Changes in Last CenturySavanna has shrunkSome has been replanted by humansIntroduction of exotic plants

  • Human ActivitiesNomadic cattle grazingSoil erosion by overgrazingMan-made fireUsed to control grasses and for huntingTree clearingClimate changeIntroduction of exotic plants

  • ConservationReplanting destroyed grassesMonitoring endangered plants and animalsPreserves and National Parks

  • The Circle of LifeWet SeasonDry SeasonAnimal adaptations