The Tropical Savanna Powerpoint by Alex and Roxy Cativiela
Jan 12, 2016
The Tropical SavannaPowerpoint by Alexand Roxy Cativiela
What is it, and where’s it found?
• Grassland, shrubs, trees• Africa – Acacia• Australia – Eucalyptus
Weather, Climate, Soil
• Warm year round (68˚–86˚ F)• Long dry winter (4 in)• Very wet summer (15 – 25 in)• Soil is extremely porous• Can catch fire when very dry
Adaptations
• Small burrowing animals – dormant – drought.• Grass – grows quickly – adequate water. Fire
stimulates growth. Replenishes nutrients in soil. Turns brown to limit water loss.
• Grass – too sharp or bitter – avoid competition.• Baobob – leafless in dry season, stores water in
trunk.
Adaptations Continued• Acacia – long tap roots, fire
resistant.• Ants live in Acacia thorns.
Used as defense when consumers.
• Large ears on some animals to help cool body.
•Poisonous alkaloid emitted into leaves and air when giraffes try to consume.
Balance and Dependency (Biodiversity)
• Over 40 species of hoofed mammals• Over 16 species of browsers• Height, time of day or year, location• Grass – Herbivores• Herds of mammals – Carnivores
• Overgrazing
Food Chain
• Producers - trees, shrubs, grass.• Primary Consumers –zebras, gazelles, giraffes,
elephants.• Secondary Consumers –cheetahs, lions,
hyenas, crocodiles, wild dogs, leopards.• Scavengers –termites, vultures, hyenas.• Decomposers (Detrivores) – mushrooms,
insects, microorganisms.
Cool Facts• Christ’s Crown of Thorns –
Acacia• Acacia is used as flavoring.
Treats sore throat, helps the digestive tract.
• The Baobob tree – Bottom’s up. Trunk diameter - 12 meters. Can live thousands of years. Shelter.
• The candelabra tree - poisonous. White sap from the inner tree can cause blister on skin, blinds eyes, breathing the fumes burns. Sticky poisonous latex and sharp spines prevents feeding.
More Facts
• Eucalyptus in medicines to treat: infections, colds, flu, sore throats, bronchitis, pneumonia, aching, stiffness, neuralgia, skin infections.
• The River Bushwillow (Hiccup Nut) seed causes violent hiccups.
• Umbrella Thorn Acacia can survive in 122° F temperatures during the day, and freezing temperatures at nights.
• Over 700 Acacia species in Africa.• Elephants can’t jump. Wanted for tusks.• Zebra’s are black with white stripes.
Tourism Information
• Savannah Overland Expeditions• 10 week trip (72 days)• 10 countries (Kenya, Uganda, Congo/Rwanda,
Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa)
• http://www.savannahoverland.com/• Safety: Disease, Animals• Many fun activities!
Quiz on what you’ve learned
1. Where is the largest Savanna located?2. What is the niche of the hyena?3. What is the dominant tree of the Australian
Savanna?4. Name one adaptation.5. What is another name for the River
Bushwillow?
Credits
• http://www.bioinquiry.vt.edu/bioinquiry/cheetah/cheetahpaid/cheetahhtmls/foodweb.gif
• http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/savannahP.html
• http://blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna.htm