Climate
In the tropical grasslands of Africa, it is warm all year round. The temperature stays between 20-30 degrees Celsius, and temperature change is gradual. There are two seasons: dry season and wet season. Dry season is during the winter, and wet season is during the summer. Only around 4 inches of rain falls during fry season. Around 15-25 inches of rain fall during the wet season. Surprisingly, the wet season is hotter than the dry season. Monsoons are common during the wet season because of the heat and high levels of humidity. Fires are common during the dry season, but plants have adapted in ways so they are not as damaged.
Climate is changing, though, due to global warming. In the past 60 years, there has been a gradual increase in the temperature all over Africa. Rain patterns have also slightly changed, but scientist are not sure if this is because of global warming. If climate changes rapidly, the animals and plants who cannot keep up and adapt will die off. If one species dies, a chain reaction will occur, afffecting everything else in the biome.
Climate is changing, though, due to global warming. In the past 60 years, there has been a gradual increase in the temperature all over Africa. Rain patterns have also slightly changed, but scientist are not sure if this is because of global warming. If climate changes rapidly, the animals and plants who cannot keep up and adapt will die off. If one species dies, a chain reaction will occur, afffecting everything else in the biome.
Climatographs
A climatograph is a graph that shows the relationship between the rainfall and temperature over a year's time.
Two big cities located in the African grasslands are Nairobi and Mombasa. Their climates are very hot, since they are located right on the equator. Nairobi and Mombasa are major tourist destinations because lots of safaris take place there. People from around the world visit to see the ecosystem full of unique animals and beautiful views. If the weather were to be different due to climate change, it would mess up the whole ecosystem. Animals and plants may die off if they are unable to adapt to higher heat and drier seasons. This would drastically change Nairobi and Mombasa's economy because they so heavily rely on income coming from tourists looking to go on a safari.
World Distribution
All tropical grassland ecosystems are located near the equator. Even though these ecosystems are technically classified as the same type of biome, their ecosystems are different. The majority of tropical grasslands are located in Africa. There are tropical grasslands in South America, northern Australia, southern Asia, and southern North America. South American tropical grasslands are more wet, while Australian tropical grasslands are very dry. In Australia, there are eucalyptus trees, instead of having acacias like in Africa.
Scientists consider an ecosystem a tropical grassland biome (or savanna) if it has the following characteristics:
-Trees widely spaces so that the canopy does not close
-Many different types of grasses that are the majority of the vegetation
-Water is available mainly in one season
-Lower elevation is more nutrient-rich and damp, exile higher elevation is dryer and has less nutrients
Scientists consider an ecosystem a tropical grassland biome (or savanna) if it has the following characteristics:
-Trees widely spaces so that the canopy does not close
-Many different types of grasses that are the majority of the vegetation
-Water is available mainly in one season
-Lower elevation is more nutrient-rich and damp, exile higher elevation is dryer and has less nutrients
Physical Features
Climate is the most influential abiotic factor of this ecosystem because it involves rainfall, temperature, wind flow, and ground moisture.
The soil in this ecosystem is Alfisols and Ultisols. Aflifsols soil can store liquid for up to 3 months, which is very helpful for the periods of time when rainfall is scarce. Ultisols soil is red and clay-like, and does not need to be cultivated to support vegetation. The soil during the dry season is very porous and dry. The solid during the wet season is very mushy and wet.
When you look at the the African tropical rainforest, you will mostly see grass, with trees and shrubs sparsely spaced out. Grass is the main vegetation, which is why it is known a "grassland".
The soil in this ecosystem is Alfisols and Ultisols. Aflifsols soil can store liquid for up to 3 months, which is very helpful for the periods of time when rainfall is scarce. Ultisols soil is red and clay-like, and does not need to be cultivated to support vegetation. The soil during the dry season is very porous and dry. The solid during the wet season is very mushy and wet.
When you look at the the African tropical rainforest, you will mostly see grass, with trees and shrubs sparsely spaced out. Grass is the main vegetation, which is why it is known a "grassland".