Knowing elementary basics from geography lessons, most students will unanimously say that savannah and woodlands are the same natural zone as taiga, steppe, tundra, desert, etc. This article is intended to give a more definite and a clear concept of savannah and woodlands.
Geographic location
So, the savannah and woodlands is a natural area that can only be found in certain geographical zones. They are widely distributed in the subequatorial belts in both hemispheres, and small areas are also located in the subtropics and tropics. More precisely, they are territorially located on almost half of the African continent (about 40% of the total area). Savannah and woodlands are also very common in South America, in the northern and eastern parts of Asia (for example, in Indochina), as well as in Australia.
Most often these are places with insufficient moisture for the normal growth of moist forests. Usually they begin their "development" in the depths of the mainland.
Zone of savannas and woodlands. Climate features
ForIn most natural areas, the main reason for the peculiarities of the animal, plant world, as well as the state of the soil is, first of all, the climate, and directly the temperature regime and temperature changes (both daily and seasonal).
Based on the above-described features of the geographical position of the savannas, it is reasonable to conclude that hot weather is typical for all seasons of the year, and dry tropical air is noted in winter, while in summer, on the contrary, humid equatorial air prevails. The removal of these territories from the equatorial belt, respectively, affects the reduction of the rainy season to a minimum of 2-3 months from its characteristic 8-9. Seasonal temperature fluctuations are relatively stable - the maximum difference is 20 degrees. However, the diurnal difference is very large - it can reach a difference of as much as 25 degrees.
Soils
The condition of the soil, its fertility is directly dependent on the duration of the rainy period and is characterized by increased washout. Thus, closer to the equator and equatorial forests, the natural zone of savannahs and light forests, namely their soil, is characterized by a huge content of red soils. In areas where the rainy season lasts for 7-9 months, most soils are ferralitic. Places with rainy seasons of 6 months or less are "rich" in red-brown savannah soils. In poorly irrigated areas with rains that fall in just two to three months, unsuitable soils are formed with a very thin layer of humus (humus) - up to 3-5% maximum.
Even soils such as the savannas have found their way into human activities - the most suitable soils are used for grazing livestock and for growing various crops, but due to their misuse, already depleted areas turn into depleted and deserted areas, unable to feed both people and animals in the future.
Flora and fauna
To survive in such changeable conditions, animals need to adapt to the zone, as, in fact, in all other regions. Savannah and light forests surprise with the richest fauna. So, in Africa, on the territories of the savannas, mainly mammals live: giraffes, rhinos, elephants, wildebeest, hyenas, cheetahs, lions, zebras, etc. Anteaters, armadillos, ostriches, rhea, etc. are found in South America. and the number of birds - this is the notorious secretary bird, African ostriches, sunbird, marabou, etc. In Australia, the "inhabitants" of the savannas and woodlands are kangaroos, their fellow marsupials, wild dingo dogs. During the drought period, herbivores migrate to areas better provided with water and food, on the way to which at times they themselves become objects of hunting for most predators (and humans too). Termites are common in savannahs.
Describing the flora of such a natural area as savannah and woodlands, it is impossible not to mention baobabs - amazing trees, like camels, accumulating water reserves in their trunk. Also common are acacias, epiphytes, palms,quebracho, tree-like cacti, etc. During a drought, many of them turn yellow and wither, but with the advent of rains, the whole environment seems to be reborn and once again gives the arrived animals an opportunity to gain strength and prepare for the next drought.
