Tropical Savanna

Presentation Created By:Hannah L, Ben P, McKenzie K

and Nein C

Read Between the Lions

Tropical Savanna

Features of Tropical Savanna

Landscape:Rolling Grassland Scattered with ShrubsIsolated Trees

Physical CharacteristicsMainland Continent is Divided into Three Large Areas: (Western Plateau, Central Lowlands, and Eastern Highlands)

Soil types:LithosolLateritic SoilsCracking ClaysRed/Yellow EarthsDeep SandsAlluvial Soils

Peneplains Submerged in Water: A more or less level land surface produced by erosion over a long period, undisturbed by crustal movement

Greywakes: The underwater avalanche

River Deltas

Resistant Sandstones

Basalt Volcanic Lavas

Climate• A tropical wet and dry climate

predominates in areas covered by savanna growth

• Mean monthly temperatures: approximately 64 degrees F

• Annual precipitation averages: between 30 and 50 inches

• For at least five months of the year (during the dry season): less than 4 inches a month of precipitation are received.

• The dry season: associated with the low sun period

Seasonal Info

6 to 8 month wet summer season and a dry winter season

Annual rainfall depends on the geographic location: Spans between 10 inches of rain annually to 50 inches

The dry seasons are marked by months of drought and fire. (Both are essential to the maintenance of savannas)

During the rainy season, birds, insects, and both large and small mammals thrive in the savanna. During the dry

season, surface water from the rain is quickly absorbed into the ground because the soil is extremely porous.

Competition for water during the dry season is intense.

Most birds and many of the large mammals migrate during the dry season in search of water. (Because drought conditions are sometimes localized, the migration may be just to another area within the savanna)

Unique Feature of Biome

During the dry season, lightning frequently ignites the grasses that cover the savanna

*Other sources of the fire often are man made

Animal AdaptabilityMany Animals have adapted to living with the fires

The ability to fly or run fast enables most birds and large mammals to escape the fire

Smaller burrowing animals survive by digging beneath the soil and remaining there until the fire passes Fork-tailed Drongos

have adapted by eating fleeing or burned insects

Plant adaptations

Baobab trees can store up to 26,000 gallons to survive the harsh drought seasons

The grass adapted to survive the periodic fires and dry season by developing the ability to grow faster than normal when there is adequate water

Animals of the Savannas

Gaur- Asia

Giraffe- Africa

Jaguars- South America

Northern Quoll-Australia

Black Rhino-Africa

Chimpanzee- Africa

Armadillo- South America

Plants of the Tropical Savanna

Palm

Acacia

Pine Savanna

Tourism ActivitiesWhen adventuring to the Wildlife Safari, groups of warthogs, elephants, lions and grazing antelopes are present

When visiting the Tribal Life, there will be glimpses of authentic nomadic life and culture centers to explore outside of the capital citiesWhen Birding, specimen

such as the marabou stork or pink flamingos can be discovered When Rafting, absorb the

view of the savanna at the top of Mount Kenya or Mount Kilimanjaru

• http://www.defenders.org/grasslands/tropical-grasslands

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

• http://www.savanna.org.au/all/climate.html