Tropical Grasslands By: Madison Clark Hanna Hartsell Raul Doyle

Plants Plants in the tropical grasslands generally must be able to withstand the dry season. Many have long tap roots to reach underground water.  Thick bark is often present as a defense against fire. Trunks may be able to store water, and leaves are dropped during the dry season to conserve water. Storage organs, such as bulbs, can also help plants survive the drought. 

Bermuda Grass Bermuda grass is a specific species that has adapted to thrive throughout disturbances such as fire, drought, flooding, and grazing--all common aspects of the tropical grasslands. It is a creeping grass that forms a mat on top of the ground. A deep root system allows the grass to have better access to water in dry conditions. The roots can be up to 59 inches deep. Bermuda grass produces seeds for reproduction 3 months after planting, which allows for quick reproduction. The seeds germinate in temperatures above 68 degrees, which is ideal for life in the tropical grasslands. It's ability to grow in poor soil also allows this grass to survive in the savanna. During the dry season, this grass is able to have its upper parts die but it still grows underground.

Animals   Animals must have several adaptations to live in the tropical grasslands. Many have long legs or wings to aid in migration. Others burrow to escape the heat. Large ears or surfaces of skin allow the animals to lose heat to the environment. To avoid competition among the various species, each has developed its own feeding preference. Animals eat vegetation at different heights or times and migrate to different places during the dry season. Tropical grasslands are full of life. In the savanna, insect populations are very high. Insects like termites and even locusts, number in the billions. What is more amazing is the variety of animals that live in the savanna Predators need to be quick, powerful, smart, and sneaky to bring down fast and alert animals, like gazelles.

Cheetahs & Hyenas Cheetahs, for instance, are built to move fast. These animals can reach speeds of up to 80 miles an hour (129 kilometers per hour). Other savanna predators, like lions, sneak up on their prey. Sometimes they will hunt with their pride and ambush unsuspecting prey. Hyenas and Australian dingoes also hunt in groups. These animals are also scavengers.

Location Tropical grasslands, or savannas, lie north and south of tropical rain forests that are on the equator. Some areas beyond savannas are hot deserts. Other savannas may be lined with mountains, dense forests, and seas. South America is home to several large savannas. An example of one of these savannas is the llanos, which means plains, located in the Orinoco River basin. The llanos is north of the Amazon forests and is shared in areas of Columbia and Venezuela. It is the size of France or Texas. Another large tropical grassland can be found south of the Amazon forest in the Brazilian Highlands, called Campos. Other South American grasslands can be found in southeast Venezuela and southern Guyana.

Climate Plants usually start growing when the daily temperature reached about 50° F Tropical grasslands experience hot weather in every season. In the winter, it can be a rainless and relatively hot season. Temperatures can be well over 64° F (18° C) during the winter. The summer, is considered the rainy season. Rain clouds form over the savanna as warm, moist air arrives from the equator. The temperatures remain above 80° F (27° C). Savannas that have warm and dry winters and hot, rainy summers are called monsoon climates. Monsoon comes from the Arabic word mauism, meaning season. Monsoon climates experience winds that go in different directions at different times of the year. Although most tropical grasslands are located in the tropics, precipitation in savannas can greatly vary. For instance, some Australian savannas receive only 18 inches (46 centimeters) a year, while African savannas can receive more than three times that.

Biomass Biomass is the dry weight of all organic matter contained in its organisms. Productivity is the rate at which producers convert solar energy into chemical energy as biomass. The soil contains very few nutrients.  Plants must be able to withstand drought in order to be productive. Productivity is higher during the rainy season, so this makes the average net productivity higher. This biome has low to moderate rain (30-40 inches). No rain falls at all between December & February. It’s drought season is in the winter and it’s rainy season in the summer. The monsoon season typically starts in May. Temperatures range between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. It is considered part of the tropical wet/dry climate zone.