African Grassland Biome

1. African Grassland Biome by Ava Julia T24

2. Basic description • Grasslands are lands covered with grasses instead of shrubs or trees. • The grassland in South Africa is called the Savanna. • Deciduous trees and shrubs are found on the landscape. • The savanna covers almost half the surface of Africa. • It rains only 6-8 months out of the year. The annual rainfall is just 20-50”. • The rest of the year there is drought with a threat of fires. • Seasonal fires are an important part of the grassland biome.

3. Producers • The savanna is covered with different types of grasses including some shrubbery and trees. • Some grasses are elephant grass, Bermuda grass, and purple needlegrass. • Flowers can include kangaroo paws, asters, golden rods, and wild indigos. • Some trees can include acacia, baobab, and jarrah.

4. Consumers • Due to the vast size of the savanna, there is a wide variety of consumers. • Consumers include: • Herbivores – zebras, elephants, and giraffes • Carnivores – jaguars, hyenas, and lions • Omnivores – meerkats, baboons, and coati

5. Food Web

6. Surviving in the Savanna Biome • If I was traveling in my biome, I would bring water, food, sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, thick socks, shoes, netting, matches, knives, and a tent. • Some dangers might be a wild animal, a fire, and a heat wave. • I would adapt by making my tent by a river and go outside at dawn and in the evening.

7. Man’s impact on the Savanna Biome • Farmers cut down and burned trees to create fertile soil to plant crops in. • Once the soil lost nutrients, the farmers abandon the land and repeat the process. • Grasses take over the bare ground. • The loss of trees effects giraffes. • Natives use fire to burn the grasslands while hunting. • Loss of grasslands provides greater visibility for hunters.