TIMON PUMBAA Travel Co Location Features Large expanse
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 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 60 mm of precipitation and less than 100 mm 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 H 20 is scarce, grass turns brown to limit H 20 loss; store moisture & nutrients in roots • Food & H 20 stored below ground, so they can survive effects from fires
Acacia Tree Baobab 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 • 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.
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