Savanna

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Savanna
http//nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/PhotoGallery/Afr
icanSavanna/
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Basics

• Grassland with scattered trees. Rich in animal
  diversity but simple in physical structure.
• The term savanna is also applied to areas where
  grassland and forest biomes intertwine. These
  areas are found in North America from Minnesota
  to Texas.

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Found in South America, Africa, India, and
Australia. Majority of tropical savanna biome is
found in Africa.
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Climate

• Climate consists of three distinct seasons. Cool
  and dry, hot and dry, and finally warm and wet.
• Average temperature is at or above 65F.
• During dry season (5 months) only 4 inches of
  rain.

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Flora
Kniphofia uvaria Red Hot Pepper

• Vegetation consists of low-growing grasses and
  forbs (small broad-leaved plants). Deciduous
  trees and shrubs are scattered throughout the
  grass. Species of trees include the baobab and
  the candelabra.
• Physical structure of biome determined by fires
  and large populations of grazing mammals that
  prevent seeds from establishing.
• Grasses wind pollinated. Forbs produce flowers
  that attract insect pollinators.

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Fauna

• Home to worlds largest herbivores. (giraffe,
  zebra, antelope, and kangaroo).
• Over 40 species of antelope.
• Burrowing animals such as the naked mole rats,
  snakes, gophers, and meerkats are also common in
  the savanna. These species are dormant during the
  dry season.
• The many species of herbivorous mammals supports
  many species of carnivores. Classified into cats,
  dogs, and hyenas.
• Many species of birds. Lilac breasted roller.
• All animals are most active during rainy season

http//nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/PhotoGallery/Afr
icanSavanna/default.cfm
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La Zebra an endangered animal of the savanna
biome

• Three Species in Africa Grevys, plains or
  Burchells, and mountain

• Some species already extinct
• Hunted for meat and hides
• During droughts, native Africans block access to
  water holes
• Drought-adapted zebras will dig for water
• Habitat fragmentation and loss from ranching and
  farming
• Slow reproduction
• Competition with livestock for food and water
• Some avoid protected areas for fear of predators
• Began comeback when poaching was outlawed in Kenya

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Human Impact

• Overgrazing removes vegetation
• Lack of vegetation upsets biome balance and turns
  much of the savanna into a desert
• Non-native livestock take up too many nutrients
• Land clearing for crops
• Formed from burning grasslands

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Sources

• Campbell, Neil A. Biology. The Benjamin/Cummings
  Publishing Company, Inc., Redwood City 1993.
• http//www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page
  .htm
• http//nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/PhotoGallery/Afr
  icanSavanna/
• http//www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids/biomes/sa
  vanna.htm
• http//www.kyhorsepark.com/imh/bw/zebra.html
• http//encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761575094_3/Ze
  bra.htmls10
• http//www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids/biomes/sa
  vanna.htm
• http//www.southafrica.info/pls/cms/show_gallery_s
  a_info?p_gid1482p_site_id38