Tropical And Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, And Shrublands

Rainfall in tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands is between 50 and 150 centimetres (20 to 60 inches) a year, and can be highly seasonal, with the entire year's rainfall sometimes occurring within a couple of weeks. Much of the plant life on savannas is adapted to seasonal aridity. Adaptations to the dry climate include Herbaceous Annuals , which die in the dry season and re-grow from seed each year, and Perennial Plant s which grow long tap roots to reach groundwater, or Bulb s to store water.

Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands occur on all continents but Antarctica. They are widespread on Africa , and are also found in India , the northern parts of South America and Australia , and the southern United States .

African Savannas occur between forest or woodland regions and grassland regions. The climate varies, with an average temperature of 27°C with peaks of 30°C in April and October, and between 50 and 150 centimetres of rain per year. Flora includes:

Acacia (Tree)

--- Loses leaves in dry season to conserve moisture

--- Leafy Canopy in rainy season (flattened by winds)

Baobab (Tree)

---Stores water in trunk

---Thick bark to protect it from fires in dry season

---Long Tap roots to reach underground moisture

---Few leaves to reduce water loss through transpiration

Grass

---Grow Quickly to 3 or 4 meters in clumps

---Shoots die in dry season leaving only roots

Low Shrubs

---Drought resistant

---Small

---Thorns not leaves

TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL GRASSLANDS, SAVANNAS, AND SHRUBLANDS ECOREGIONS

EXTERNAL LINK

(World Wildlife Fund)

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Tropical And Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, And Shrublands