1. Tamara Roy Blue - 3

2. A savanna, also known as a tropical grassland, is a type of biome found in areas north and south of the equator, such as central and southern central Africa, western Madagascar, eastern India and parts of northern Australia. Savannas are considered the midway area between desert and tropical rainforest biomes. Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs because savannas don’t receive enough rain to support full forests. The Serengeti Plains in Tanzania in a well know savanna. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/savanna_location_map.gif

3. Average Yearly Temperature – 68°- 86°F Average Seasonal Temperature – Winter – 68° - 78°F Summer – 78° - 86°F Annual Precipitation – 10 – 30 inches per year http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=94366&rendTypeId=4

4. ■ Over 40 species of ungulates, or hooved mammals, are found in Savannas. African Elephant – Loxodonta africana herbivore The african elephant roam all over savannas. Since they have no sweat glands, elephants keep cool in the hot savanna weather by pumping their giant ears to fan cool air onto themselves. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/ african-elephant.html http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/africa n-lion.html African Lion – Panthera leo Carnivore Often referred to as the “king” of the savanna, lions are the most feared predators by other animals of the savanna. Their thick padded feet allow them to walk on the hard savanna terrain without injury.

5. Zebra – Equus burchelli herbivore Grazers of the savanna, Zebras help each other protect themselves from predators by surrounding the animal after its attacked their own, in attempt to ward it off. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mam mals/zebra.html http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/ meerkat.html Meerkat – Suricata suricatta omnivore Rodents of the savanna, Meerkats live in large communities that split up jobs, such as look outs and hunters. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/impala.html Impala - Aepyceros melampus herbivore Impalas are medium sized mammals that have agile body made for jumping. They can leap up to 33 feet when escaping predators.

6. Baobab Tree – Adansonia digitata The baobab tree survives the long, hot dry season by storing water in its long, thick roots. Bermuda Grass – Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass grows well savannas because it grows well in bad soil. The grass also reproduces well after fires, which happen a lot in savannas. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm http://www.saguaro-juniper.com/i_and_i/invasive_spp/bermuda_grass.html

7. http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/8706469/Gum_Arabic_Senegal _Gum_Sudan_Gum_Arabic_Acacia_senegal_Seeds.html Senegal Gum Acacia – Acacia senegal The senegal gum acacia tree is important to both humans and animals. A number of savanna animals use it as shade and food, and humans use its sap for medicine and food. Umbrella Thorn Acacia Tree – Acacia tortillis The most common and recognizable tree in the savanna, it survives with its deep taproots which grow out to 115 feet underground. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm

8. http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/elep hant-conservation829.html http://www.earthplatform.com/c/animals/land Elephant and Rhinosaurous Poaching One of the most invasive effects is the killing of thousands of elephants and rhinosaurouses. People from all over savagely kill and saw off the tusks of the animals to illegally trade and sell. Constant poaching has immensely decreased the population elephants and rhinosaurouses and has put their species at risk for extinction.

9. http://www.unep.org/dewa/Africa/publications/AEO-1/195.htm Overgrazing Many native people inhabit areas around savannas. Overgrazing of their domesticated animals has severely put a dent in the growing of new grass, which in turn leaves little or no grass for wild animals to eat. http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/photos/za/za.htm Widespread Fires While some fires start naturally in the dry, arid savanna weather, many are humanly started. People in towns near savannas accidentally start fires and poaches sometimes start fires to round up animals or cover their tracks.

10. While some people only care about destroying savannas and their animals, other are putting efforts into saving our worlds’ savannas. Organizations have set up national parks in some places to help preserve savannas. In threatened areas, grasses are being replanted to help animals eat and survive. Groups of people are also helping out endangered species by introducing raised animals into the wild in hopes of greater population and survival. http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/tmorris/elements_of_ecology/chapter_28.htm

11. African Elephant. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from National Geographic Web site: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/african- elephant.html African Lion. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from National Geographic Web site: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/african-lion.html SLW, (1996, October). Tropical Savanna. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from Radford University Web site: http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/savanna/savan na.html Zebra. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from National geographic Web site: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/zebra.html Meerkat. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from National geographic Web site: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/meerkat.html

12. Impala. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from National geographic Web site: http://www.africanwildlifeguide.com/species guide/mammals/antelope/impala Savanna. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from Blue Planet Biomes Web site: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna.htm Savanna Climate. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from Blue Planet Biomes Web site: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_climate_page.htm F., Allison (2000). African Elephant. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from Blue Planet Biomes Web site: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_animal_page.htm S., Chase (2000). Lion. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from Blue Planet Biomes Web site: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_animal_page.htm

13. Senegal Gum Acacia. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from Blue Planet Biomes Web site: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm Baobab. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from Blue Planet Biomes Web site: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm Bermuda Grass. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from Blue Planet Biomes Web site: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm Umbrella Thorn Acacia. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from Blue Planet Biomes Web site: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm Grassland Biomes. Retrieved November 15, 2008, from World Biomes Web site: http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_grassland.htm Grassland -- Human Impacts on Grassland. Retrieved November 16, 2008, from ThinkQuest Web site: http://library.thinkquest.org/26634/text/grass/impact.htm