Abiotic Conditions:
Location- Large portion of Southern and Central Africa, Northern Australia, small sections of Northeastern South America
Temperature- Range from 68-86 degrees, In winter temps. go from 68 to 78 and change to 78 to 86 degrees in the summer.
Precipitation- Dry and Wet seasons/ dry is in the winter and wet is in the summer
There is an annual 10-30in of rain, however little to no rain falls in the winter months and all rain falls in the summer.
Soil- Because the above parts of most of the grasses die and decompose each year, organic matter accumulates to create a deep fertile topsoil. Topsoil is held by a thick network of drought tolerant grasses. Natural grasses adapted to fires and brush fires do not destroy roots so new grasses can grow.
Influence on Organisms:
Plants of the savannas are highly specialized to grow in this environment of long periods of drought. They have long tap roots that can reach the deep water table, thick bark to resist annual fires, trunks that can store water, and leaves that drop of during the winter to conserve water. The grasses have adaptations that discourage animals from grazing on them; some grasses are too sharp or bitter tasting for some animals, but not others, to eat. The side benefit of this is that every species of animal has something to eat. Different species will also eat different parts of the grass. Many grasses grow from the bottom up, so that the growth tissue doesn't get damaged by grazers. Many plants of the savanna also have storage organs for making it through the dry season.
Most of the animals on the savanna have long legs or wings to be able to go on long migrations. Many burrow underground to avoid the heat or raise their young. The savanna is a perfect place for birds of prey like hawks and buzzards. The wide, open plain provides them with a clear view of their prey, hot air updrafts keep them soaring, and there is the occasional tree to rest on or nest in. Animals don't sweat to lose body heat, so they lose it through panting or through large areas of exposed skin, or ears, like those of the elephant.
African Elephant-
Largest mammal on earth that grazes on the savanna plains and live in herds. An adaptation for an elephant is most definitely their size, because they are so large they can store water for a longer period of time and is useful during the dry season.This animal has adapted to the savanna biome by using it’s size to protect from predators. They also have adapted thick skin that is hard to bite through. The elephants have a special job to help other organisms in the savanna biome. They eat bushes shrubs and trees to clear out the plains to help the grass grow. Then other herbivores can survive and graze on the healthy grass. They also use their ears to expel body heat so they can keep cool in the hot temperature.
Black Mamba-
The Black Mamba is adapted to live in the savannas. The black mamba has adapted to the savanna and can live in high temperatures and can survive with short amounts of food and water. They are usually in groups and survive by eating small herbivores that feed on the savannas vast plains. The Black Mamba has slowly adapted a venom so poisonous that no animal can actually kill it because they become paralyzed on contact, so it has nothing to worry about.
Grant’s Zebra- This Grant Zebra is a horse like animal that has adapted to live in the tropical grassland/savanna biome. They live in herds and protect one another from predators. The zebra’s stripes make it easy for predators to see them however, the stripes may confuse the predator making it easier to get away. The zebra has developed this trait overtime to protect themselves from lions or hyenas. The zebra’s graze on the savanna grassland and shrubs for food. Zebra’s can also run at speeds up to 40 mph, and use sharp hooves and teeth to survive. The zebra uses it's speed to find water during the dry season to survive in the hot weather.
Bermuda Grass-
Usually grows in areas of disturbances such as grazing, flooding, and fires. The savanna biome has many places for these plants to grow and the open plains are homes to many animals that graze on the plants and brush fires are common making this plant very capable of surviving in the savanna. This plant uses a very deep intricate root system to gather water during dry seasons and have seeds that are long sharp spikes that usually grow within two weeks. This plant can cover 3 square yards in just three months and does not die from poor soil or dry seasons because their rhizomes keep their roots alive even if the top part dies off.
Whistling Thorn-
This acacia can grow about 18 feet tall.. The whistling thorn acacia protects itself with pairs of long thorns up to 3 inches long. Interspersed with these are modified thorns, called stipular spines, which are joined at the base by hollow bulbous swellings about 1 inch in diameter. These are home to four different kinds of stinging ants who pierce these swollen thorns with tiny holes. When the wind blows it turns old and abandoned spines into tiny whistling flutes, which gives the tree its name. Animals are driven away from the plant because the ants will attack any sudden movement so animals sense the pheromones and don’t go near the whistling thorn.
Jackal Berry Tree
It is most commonly found on savannas and savanna woodlands where it can be found growing on termite mounds. In heavy soils the termite mounds provide the tree with aerated soil, and a source of moisture. The roots provide protection for the termites, who don't eat the living wood. Jackalberry wood is almost termite-resistant after it has been cut down.The tree prefers moist soil, rocky soils. It grows well in red loams,volcanic and loamy sands. Jackalberry trees are also commonly found along river beds and swampy areas. This plant can survive during hot dry seasons because of the termite mounds. This tree is found in areas of the savanna that are the more moist than other parts of the savanna generally near watering holes or other sources of water.
Common adaptations- deep root system, fire resistant
Location- Large portion of Southern and Central Africa, Northern Australia, small sections of Northeastern South America
Temperature- Range from 68-86 degrees, In winter temps. go from 68 to 78 and change to 78 to 86 degrees in the summer.
Precipitation- Dry and Wet seasons/ dry is in the winter and wet is in the summer
There is an annual 10-30in of rain, however little to no rain falls in the winter months and all rain falls in the summer.
Soil- Because the above parts of most of the grasses die and decompose each year, organic matter accumulates to create a deep fertile topsoil. Topsoil is held by a thick network of drought tolerant grasses. Natural grasses adapted to fires and brush fires do not destroy roots so new grasses can grow.
Influence on Organisms:
Plants of the savannas are highly specialized to grow in this environment of long periods of drought. They have long tap roots that can reach the deep water table, thick bark to resist annual fires, trunks that can store water, and leaves that drop of during the winter to conserve water. The grasses have adaptations that discourage animals from grazing on them; some grasses are too sharp or bitter tasting for some animals, but not others, to eat. The side benefit of this is that every species of animal has something to eat. Different species will also eat different parts of the grass. Many grasses grow from the bottom up, so that the growth tissue doesn't get damaged by grazers. Many plants of the savanna also have storage organs for making it through the dry season.
Most of the animals on the savanna have long legs or wings to be able to go on long migrations. Many burrow underground to avoid the heat or raise their young. The savanna is a perfect place for birds of prey like hawks and buzzards. The wide, open plain provides them with a clear view of their prey, hot air updrafts keep them soaring, and there is the occasional tree to rest on or nest in. Animals don't sweat to lose body heat, so they lose it through panting or through large areas of exposed skin, or ears, like those of the elephant.
African Elephant-
Largest mammal on earth that grazes on the savanna plains and live in herds. An adaptation for an elephant is most definitely their size, because they are so large they can store water for a longer period of time and is useful during the dry season.This animal has adapted to the savanna biome by using it’s size to protect from predators. They also have adapted thick skin that is hard to bite through. The elephants have a special job to help other organisms in the savanna biome. They eat bushes shrubs and trees to clear out the plains to help the grass grow. Then other herbivores can survive and graze on the healthy grass. They also use their ears to expel body heat so they can keep cool in the hot temperature.
Black Mamba-
The Black Mamba is adapted to live in the savannas. The black mamba has adapted to the savanna and can live in high temperatures and can survive with short amounts of food and water. They are usually in groups and survive by eating small herbivores that feed on the savannas vast plains. The Black Mamba has slowly adapted a venom so poisonous that no animal can actually kill it because they become paralyzed on contact, so it has nothing to worry about.
Grant’s Zebra- This Grant Zebra is a horse like animal that has adapted to live in the tropical grassland/savanna biome. They live in herds and protect one another from predators. The zebra’s stripes make it easy for predators to see them however, the stripes may confuse the predator making it easier to get away. The zebra has developed this trait overtime to protect themselves from lions or hyenas. The zebra’s graze on the savanna grassland and shrubs for food. Zebra’s can also run at speeds up to 40 mph, and use sharp hooves and teeth to survive. The zebra uses it's speed to find water during the dry season to survive in the hot weather.
Bermuda Grass-
Usually grows in areas of disturbances such as grazing, flooding, and fires. The savanna biome has many places for these plants to grow and the open plains are homes to many animals that graze on the plants and brush fires are common making this plant very capable of surviving in the savanna. This plant uses a very deep intricate root system to gather water during dry seasons and have seeds that are long sharp spikes that usually grow within two weeks. This plant can cover 3 square yards in just three months and does not die from poor soil or dry seasons because their rhizomes keep their roots alive even if the top part dies off.
Whistling Thorn-
This acacia can grow about 18 feet tall.. The whistling thorn acacia protects itself with pairs of long thorns up to 3 inches long. Interspersed with these are modified thorns, called stipular spines, which are joined at the base by hollow bulbous swellings about 1 inch in diameter. These are home to four different kinds of stinging ants who pierce these swollen thorns with tiny holes. When the wind blows it turns old and abandoned spines into tiny whistling flutes, which gives the tree its name. Animals are driven away from the plant because the ants will attack any sudden movement so animals sense the pheromones and don’t go near the whistling thorn.
Jackal Berry Tree
It is most commonly found on savannas and savanna woodlands where it can be found growing on termite mounds. In heavy soils the termite mounds provide the tree with aerated soil, and a source of moisture. The roots provide protection for the termites, who don't eat the living wood. Jackalberry wood is almost termite-resistant after it has been cut down.The tree prefers moist soil, rocky soils. It grows well in red loams,volcanic and loamy sands. Jackalberry trees are also commonly found along river beds and swampy areas. This plant can survive during hot dry seasons because of the termite mounds. This tree is found in areas of the savanna that are the more moist than other parts of the savanna generally near watering holes or other sources of water.
Common adaptations- deep root system, fire resistant