Location of Tropical Grasslands
Tropical grasslands are the areas that are in the north and south of the tropical rainforests on the equator. These areas are also referred to as savannas. Many areas beyond the savannas are deserts while some savannas contain mountains, seas and dense forests. Tropical grasslands typically have more trees as compared to the temperate grasslands, but they do not have the colorful flowering plants found in the temperate grasslands. The trees in tropical grasslands are usually low growing and are scattered in the area. Tropical grasslands are located near the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. They cover much of Africa as well as large areas of Australia, South America, and India.
Plant Life
Tropical grasslands are dominated by grasses, often 3 to 6 feet tall at maturity. They may have some drought-resistant, fire-resistant or browse-resistant trees, or they may have an open shrub layer. They develop in regions where the climax community should be forest, but drought and fire prevent the establishment of many trees.The Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) is a common plant of the tropical grassland in Africa and is also referred to as "the tree of life." The tree provides food, water, and shelter for both humans and animals in the region and its cork-like bark is resistant to fire. The bark is also used for making cloth and rope and the foliage is used as traditional medicine. The baobab tree produces an edible fruit called monkey bread. The tree can store up to hundreds of gallons of water, which can be used during droughts. This is one of the ways how the Baobab tree has been able to survive in its location. Candelabra tree (Ingens) is found in the savannas of the East Indies and Africa. The tree bears small yellow flowers in the middle of winter. Candelabra tree is highly poisonous and is not preferred by animals. There are sharp spines of the branches, which burn upon contact and make the tree particularly useful as a living fence. This is also how it has been able to survive because it keeps animals away from it, and also humans from destroying it. Elephant grass (Pennistum) is also referred to as Napier grass and Uganda grass. Elephant grass is a tall-growing native grass of the African tropical grasslands. The grass is typically found growing in the rich soil along the lake beds and rivers. Elephant grass is used by local farmers as food for the animals. The grass is purple or yellowish in color with coarse, hairy stems and 2- to 3-foot long, 1-inch wide pointed leaves. The razor-sharp edges of the leaves make thick stands of the grass impossible to penetrate. The grass is invasive and only thrives in the tropical climates. This grass has been able to survive because of the fact that the farmers do not want it to run out, because that is what there animals eat. So they make sure to take care of the elephant grass and not harm or destroy it.
Animal Life
Tropical grassland animals (which do not all occur in the same area) include
giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, kangaroos, mice, moles, gophers, ground squirrels,
snakes, worms, termites, beetles, and elephants. The
world's greatest diversity of hoofed mammals is found on the
savannas of Africa. Buffalo, wildebeest, plains zebra, rhinos, giraffes, elephants
and warthogs are among other herbivores of the African savanna. Carnivores include
lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas. Elephants need to be able to support their young by finding a water source so they can stay hydrated, find food, and survive. Giraffes also have evolved over time so that they can survive. They have long necks so that they can eat the leaves off of tall trees, and they also use their necks to fight off other giraffes that are threatening their territory.
giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, kangaroos, mice, moles, gophers, ground squirrels,
snakes, worms, termites, beetles, and elephants. The
world's greatest diversity of hoofed mammals is found on the
savannas of Africa. Buffalo, wildebeest, plains zebra, rhinos, giraffes, elephants
and warthogs are among other herbivores of the African savanna. Carnivores include
lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas. Elephants need to be able to support their young by finding a water source so they can stay hydrated, find food, and survive. Giraffes also have evolved over time so that they can survive. They have long necks so that they can eat the leaves off of tall trees, and they also use their necks to fight off other giraffes that are threatening their territory.
Terrain Type
Tropical grasslands are warm year round, but usually have a dry and a rainy
season. One such tropical grassland, the African savanna, is home to some of the
world’s most recognizable species, including elephants, giraffes, rhinos,
zebras, lions, hyenas, and warthogs. Savanna's are normally flat surfaces with trees spread sparatically throughout the savanna. Savannas are great for animals to run freely, however they offer little camoflauge when trying to blend in with your surroundings when preaditors are near.
season. One such tropical grassland, the African savanna, is home to some of the
world’s most recognizable species, including elephants, giraffes, rhinos,
zebras, lions, hyenas, and warthogs. Savanna's are normally flat surfaces with trees spread sparatically throughout the savanna. Savannas are great for animals to run freely, however they offer little camoflauge when trying to blend in with your surroundings when preaditors are near.
Environmental Issues
Humans have made the African savanna their home, by building their factories,
mines, houses and farms there. All of these have greatly affected the
environment. Ever since the European settlers came to Africa the human
population has increased by hundreds and the animal’s population has decreased
by thousands. The human population varies as the savanna climate changes each
year. The rough population spread is: ranging from two to over 100 people per
square mile and roughly 45% live in urban centres, otherwise population figures
are hard to come by when looking at the savanna. Humans have mined many things
in the savanna. Some of these things are: salt, coal, and some oil wells are
also near by. When these things are dug up they are than transported over to
other countries like: Australia, Asia, Europe, North and South America. The goods are also transported around Africa. Humans have introduced animals that have affected other animals.Pollution is one of the main threats to Africa’s
savannas. The air can be polluted by smoke and exhaust fumes. If the air does get polluted animals will find it increasingly hard to breath and since they
can’t move out of the country they will eventually die out. Carbon dioxide (CO2) increases the heat of the biome, if too much carbon dioxide gets into the
air the animals that have adapted to the plains may have to adapt again to fit into an almost desert-like biome.
mines, houses and farms there. All of these have greatly affected the
environment. Ever since the European settlers came to Africa the human
population has increased by hundreds and the animal’s population has decreased
by thousands. The human population varies as the savanna climate changes each
year. The rough population spread is: ranging from two to over 100 people per
square mile and roughly 45% live in urban centres, otherwise population figures
are hard to come by when looking at the savanna. Humans have mined many things
in the savanna. Some of these things are: salt, coal, and some oil wells are
also near by. When these things are dug up they are than transported over to
other countries like: Australia, Asia, Europe, North and South America. The goods are also transported around Africa. Humans have introduced animals that have affected other animals.Pollution is one of the main threats to Africa’s
savannas. The air can be polluted by smoke and exhaust fumes. If the air does get polluted animals will find it increasingly hard to breath and since they
can’t move out of the country they will eventually die out. Carbon dioxide (CO2) increases the heat of the biome, if too much carbon dioxide gets into the
air the animals that have adapted to the plains may have to adapt again to fit into an almost desert-like biome.
Symbiotic Relationships
In grasslands, bacteria is unique to ruminants that lives in the stomachs of large herbivores which helps to
break down cellulose. In this way, the bacteria thrives in the stomach of the
herbivores and the herbivores are able to metabolize cellulose. This is an example of mutualism. An example of commensalism are nurseplants are found in many biomes. Large nurseplants
provide protection for young seedlings growing under the leaves of the
nurseplant. They protect young seedlings from grazing by herbivores, frost
stress in the winter months and heat stress in the summer months, though the large nurseplants do not
benefit. Another example of commensalism is that cattle are frequent in grassland biomes. They graze on the short and long grasses present across the landscape. As they graze, they disturb insects in the
surrounding areas. Cattle have adapted to feed on the disturbed insects
flushed from the grasses by the cattle. The cattle receive no benefit, but the
cattle egrets benefit from the food source.
break down cellulose. In this way, the bacteria thrives in the stomach of the
herbivores and the herbivores are able to metabolize cellulose. This is an example of mutualism. An example of commensalism are nurseplants are found in many biomes. Large nurseplants
provide protection for young seedlings growing under the leaves of the
nurseplant. They protect young seedlings from grazing by herbivores, frost
stress in the winter months and heat stress in the summer months, though the large nurseplants do not
benefit. Another example of commensalism is that cattle are frequent in grassland biomes. They graze on the short and long grasses present across the landscape. As they graze, they disturb insects in the
surrounding areas. Cattle have adapted to feed on the disturbed insects
flushed from the grasses by the cattle. The cattle receive no benefit, but the
cattle egrets benefit from the food source.