tropical grasslands - savanna
TRANSCRIPT
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
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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
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CharacteristicsVegetation
100-200 mm rainfall-only grasses
300 mm rainfall-shrubs
400 mm rainfall-solitary trees
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Limiting Factors
Rain
Fire
Soil Fertility
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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
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Adaptations
Leaves Waxy to prevent water
loss Some trees have thorns in
place of leaves
Trunks Swollen to store water Thick bark
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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
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AdaptationsSoil
Thin layer of humus covers the porous soil
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Adaptations
Defense Thorns and leathery,
sharp leaves for protection
Toxic chemicals
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Savanna Food Web
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By: Zahid Imran