Tropical Savanna
Presentation Created By:
Hannah L, Ben P, McKenzie K and Nein C
Read Between the Lions
Tropical Savanna
Features of Tropical Savanna
Physical Characteristics
Mainland Continent is Divided into Three
Large Areas: (Western Plateau, Central
Lowlands, and Eastern Highlands)
Basalt Volcanic Lavas
Greywakes: The
underwater avalanche
River Deltas
Peneplains Submerged in Water: A more or less
level land surface produced by erosion over a
long period, undisturbed by crustal movement
Landscape:
Rolling Grassland Scattered with Shrubs
Isolated Trees
Resistant Sandstones
Soil types:
Lithosol
Lateritic Soils
Cracking Clays
Red/Yellow Earths
Deep Sands
Alluvial Soils
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
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)
Competition for water during
the dry season is intense.
The dry seasons are marked
by months of drought and
fire. (Both are essential to the
maintenance of savannas)
Annual rainfall depends on
the geographic location:
Spans between 10 inches of
rain annually to 50 inches
During the rainy season,
birds, insects, and both large
and small mammals thrive in
the savanna.
6 to 8 month wet summer
season and a dry winter season
During the dry season,
surface water from the rain
is quickly absorbed into the
ground because the soil is
extremely porous.
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 Adaptability
Many 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
Northern Quoll-Australia
Gaur- Asia
Jaguars- South America
Black Rhino-Africa
Chimpanzee- Africa
Giraffe- Africa
Armadillo- South America
Plants of the Tropical Savanna
Palm
Pine Savanna
Acacia
Tourism Activities
When 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 cities
When 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/eart
hsysflr/savannahP.html
• http://www.savanna.org.au/all/climate.html