timon & pumbaa travel co.. location features large expanse of grassland with punctuated trees...
TRANSCRIPT
TIMON & PUMBAA Travel Co.
Location
Features• Large expanse of grassland with punctuated trees and shrubs• Trees are Characteristically flat topped and are “xerophytic” which
means drought resistant. They have small thick leaves, rough bark, or waxy leaf surfaces.
• Trees have deep roots so that they can utilize water present in the soil during the dry season.
• Africa’s savanna biome regions have been like zoological gardens as home to various herbivores such as giraffe, zebra, antelope, and elephant.
• There are also large carnivores such as lions and also scavengers such as the hyena.
• The soil in Tropical Savanna is often termed as infertile because of it’s Lateric soils which have a great lack access to nutrients. There is also
Climate
• Warm temperatures year round• Two different seasons:– A very long dry season (winter) – Wet season (summer)– Tropical Savanna climates have a monthly mean
temperature about 18 degrees Celsius in every month of the year.
– Driest month has less that 60mm of precipitation and less than 100mm of total annual precipitation.
Climate Graph of Tropical Savanna
Seasonal Information
• The best time to visit is during the dry season• April/May through September/October• Many areas are inaccessible during the wet
season
Special Facts
• Not enough rain falls to support a forest• Large expanse of grasslands are punctuated
w/ trees and shrubs• Annual rainfall is between 40-60 in.• Harbors the largest mammal, herbivore
diversity on the planet
Plant Adaptions to the Tropical Savanna
Grasses• To survive dry season & fires, they grow
quickly where there is an adequate amount of water
• When H20 is scarce, grass turns brown to limit H20 loss; store moisture & nutrients in roots
• Food & H20 stored below ground, so they can survive effects from fires
Acacia Tree
• Adaptations:–Deep taproot so it
can access water during the dry season–Umbrella shaped
tops allows the leaves to catch as much sunlight as possible
Baobab Tree
• Adaptations:–During wet
months, tree stores water in it’s thick trunk– Trunk is fire
resistant
Animal Adaptations to the Tropical Savanna
Elephants• Physical adaptation to access water that is
unavailable to other animals• Physical strength & anatomy allow them to
tear open tree trunks to suck the water stored in the tree trunks
Native Animals
• Lions• Grants Zebra• African Wild Dog
Suggested Activities (for African Savanna)
• Go on a wildlife safari • View the tribal life & meet natural healers and
tribe members• Go birding and on a nature walk• Rafting
Current Envi. Issue T & P Co. is fighting to help solve:
• Weeds can out compete native plants for essential resources (space, light, water, nutrients)
• They change the landscape forever.• Important Factors that encourage weeds:– Disturbance of natural environment– Increased nutrient levels– Absence of Predators
Bibliography
• "Tropical Savanna." Tropical Savanna. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.
• "The Main Characteristic Feature of the Tropical Savanna Biome Are:." The Main Characteristic Feature of the Tropical Savanna Biome Are:. N.p., n.d. Web. 16
Dec. 2013.• "Biomes." Science for Kids: Savanna Grasslands Biome. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.• "Earth Floor: Biomes." Earth Floor: Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 16
Dec. 2013.