Sabana ecosystem: characteristics, flora and fauna

Sabana is a terrestrial bioma, although it can also be seen as a type of terrestrial ecosystem that we can find In warm regions of the planet. They are characterized by being dry areas in which it can be observed in their vegetation that it is a Transition zone Among the ecosystems of jungles and semi -deserts.

We can find savanas located in both tropical and subtropical areas, as long as the predominant climate is dry. Some of the main characteristics of the savanna and its climate are:

• The weather is mainly tropical with drought periods: You could say that this is one of the most outstanding savannah characteristics. They have abundant rains during a single season of the year, while the rest of the year corresponds to times of droughts.
• The Annual average precipitation It occurs between 750 mm and 1,300 mm.
• The temperature is very variable: But the total average is about 17 ºC.
• There is a volume of less than 100 mm rainfall per month: During the dry season, which usually lasts about five months.

Discover the types of terrestrial ecosystems in this other ecology article that we recommend.

Once we have already seen the characteristics of the savannah, it is necessary to mention that we can find the following classification of the ecosystems of savannas or different types of savannas. Next we will see them more detail.

Interropical savannas

They are savanas ecosystems best knownas is the case of the Sabanas of East Africa. Its main features include an annual warm climate, with a marked period of drought, a very poor nutrient soil, a fauna represented by large mammals, birds and insects, as well as a vegetation with very rare and predominant herbacious trees.

If you want to get more information about what drought, its causes and consequences is, do not hesitate to read this other post of ecology see that we recommend you.

Tempered savanas

Commonly known by The name of grasslands (Type of Earth Bioma), the Ecosystem of temperate savannas can differentiate it by its predominance in Central Asia.

They appear as great Earth extensions whipped by wet winds. The plants of the temperate savannas have deep roots that protect the surface of the soil, guaranteeing its fertility and the possible development of a more abundant vegetation than in the interropical savannas that we have seen previously.

We leave you this other article about the importance of biodiversity in the grasslands so you can have more information on the subject.

Semi -arid or Mediterranean savannas

They are on all continents And they are at medium latitudes. Its climate is similar to the Mediterranean but something semi -arid, so they are areas with little vegetation. In the Africa area, for example, you can see animals such as giraffes, large elephants, leopards, lions, etc.

Mountainous savannas

It is mountainous savanna ecosystems that are in high mountain areas. They can find the entire planet, but mainly they are in the African continent. Another feature that differentiates this type of savanna from the others, is that when being in higher areas has a Greater rainfall indexbecause of this, they are also richer in biodiversity.

Discover what biodiversity is more detail in this post of Ecology Verde. Continue reading to know the flora and fauna of the savanna.

Among the flora of the savanna, mainly the abundant vegetation of the family of grasses and the cipperáceas stands out, reaching up to six meters high. They appear forming extensive bushes, accompanied by shrubs and trees, generally xerophilicthat is, they are completely adapted to the characteristics of the climate in which they inhabit, being able to resist the harsh times of drought and even when there are fires.

In this way, among the species of Sabana plants most prominent we find:

• “Common finger” (Digitaria Eriantha).
• Blue stem grass (Bothriochloa genus).
• Baobabs (Genre Adansonia).
• Acacias (gender Acacia).
• Jackal berry tree (Godpyros Mespiliformis).
• Candlestick (Euphorbia Ingens).
• Buffalo spine bush (Ziziphus mucronata).

Without a doubt, the fauna of the most abundant and representative savanna is that formed by the ungulates (group of mammals that walks on the tip of the fingers in the form of a hoove), among which the following species stand out:

• ANCELOPE: Genres Nanger, Ammodorcas, RAPHICERUS and OUREBIA in African savannas; Genres Antelope and Phantolops In savannas of India, Pakistan and Nepal. Discover why the Saiga Antílope is in danger of extinction, here.
• Gazelles: Genres Gazella and Eudorcas In African savannas and gender PROCAPRA In Sabanas of Asian regions
• Zebras: The species Equus quagga.
• Giraffes: The species Giraffa Camelopardalis. Discover why the giraffe is in danger of extinction in this ecology article that we recommend.

On the other hand, the kings of the African savanna, the lions (Panthera Leo), They share their hunting territories with other feline animals, such as leopards (Panthera Pardus) and Guepardos (Acinonyx Jubatus), as well as with other species of carnivores, such as licaon or African wild dog (Lycaon Pictus) and the hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), as well as with herbivorous animals such as elephant (gender Loxodonta) and the rhinos (Bicornis Diceros).

Other animals of the savannah

Other savanna animals that we can find frequently are:

• The Pangolin (genre Manis).
• Non -flying birds such as: ostriches (Struthio Camelus), Emú (genre DROMAIUS), and the impressive cause (gender Casuarius).
• Yellow coarse mushroom (Cynictis Penicillata).
• The African caracal or lynx (Caracal Caracal).
• The uombat or wombat (Lasiorhinus Latifrons).
• Kori’s bustard (Kori Ardeotis).

You can expand this information with this other post of ecology see what animals live in the African savanna.

If you want to read more articles similar to Sabana ecosystem: characteristics, flora and faunawe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.