SAVANNA JACKSON, JOSE, AND MUFASA

WHERE IS IT Savannas are located on every continent but are mainly found in Africa. Savannas can be found between deserts and rainforests.

ABIOTIC FACTORS There are many abiotic factors in Savannas. Some abiotic factors include: Water – scares in winter and plentiful in summer) Soil – fertile during summer

NATIVE PLANTS In the Savanna, there are many kinds of grasses all around. Some of these native plants include, Rhodes grass, Elephant grass, Bermuda grass, Baobab trees (which have very thick bark, which can protect them from fire and strong animals), and Acacia trees (which can grow thorns to protect them from enemies). Many native plants have organs that can contain a large amount of water during droughts, to help them survive.

NATIVE ANIMALS There are thousands of animals living in Savannas. There are 40 different species of hoofed animals, such as Zebras, Giraffes, Antelopes, etc.. There are also 60 species of browsers, like elephants and buffalo. Finally, there are carnivores and predators such as Lions, Hyenas, Jackals, and Cheetahs. Giraffes have long tongues to eat leaves from acacia trees without injuring themselves or causing dangerous wounds from thorns.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES In the savanna there are a lot of things to do. You can get chased by lions. Take an African Safari. Get lost in ten feet tall elephant grass.

POINTS OF INTEREST Hwange national park, a large reserve found in Zimbabwe. Kruger national park, found in South Africa.

OTHER BIOMES Two adjacent biomes are tropical rainforests and deserts. The savanna is a midway point between these areas because it is hot but drier than a rainforest.

AVERAGE PRECIPITATION In the savanna the average rainfall in the summer season is 15 to 25 inches. Compared to New Jersey which in 2013 had about 17 inches during the summer months.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE The average temperature is about 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

CLOTHING AND GEAR The suggested gear for a savanna is short sleeve but maybe a jacket, in case of rain. Also sunscreen would be needed because there isn't a lot of shelter in the wild.

THREATS TO THE BIOME. Every year farmers use the fertile soil too much and graze their goats too much which causes miles of acres to turn to desert every year. Basically any form of development on this land is a major threat, mining, wind farm development, hunting, canals, plantations, are all examples.

ENDANGERED SPECIES The endangered species in the savanna are the African wild dog, the giant anteater, the golden cheeked warbler, and the black rhinoceros.

CLIMATE CHANGE Because the savanna isn't very developed on the climate change feared is minimal. But, the savanna is expected to raise to 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

GLOBAL IMPORTANCE The savanna is important because it is a midway point between hot wet biomes and hot dry biomes. Of we didn't have Savannas we would either have a lot less rainforest or desert. The savanna also houses all of the species you would think would be found in Africa.

CITATION traveltips.usatoday.com blueplanetbiomes.org