Knowing elementary foundations from geography lessons, most students will unanimously say that savannah and woodlands are the same natural area as the taiga, steppe, tundra, desert, etc. This article is intended to give a more definite and clear concept of savannah and woodland.
Geographical position
So, the savannah and woodlands are a natural zone that can only be found in certain geographical zones. They are widespread in subequatorial zones in both hemispheres, and small areas are also located in the subtropics and tropics. More precisely, they are located on almost half of the African mainland (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, 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" inland.
Zone of savannahs and woodlands. Climate features
For most natural areas, the main reason for the characteristics of the animal, plant world, and also the state of the soil is, first of all, the climate, but directly the temperature regime and temperature changes (both daily and seasonal).
Based on the above-described features of the geographical location of the savannahs, it is reasonable to conclude that all seasons of the year are characterized by hot weather, with dry tropical air observed in winter, and humid equatorial prevail in summer. 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. Relatively stable are seasonal temperature differences - the maximum difference is a limit of 20 degrees. However, the daily difference is very large - it can reach a difference of as much as 25 degrees.
The soil
The condition of the soil, its fertility directly depend on the duration of the rain period and is characterized by increased leachability. So, 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 period lasts for 7-9 months, most soils are ferrallite. Places with rainy seasons of 6 months and less are “rich” in shrouded red-brown soils. In poorly irrigated areas with rains falling only in the period from two to three months, unsuitable soils are formed with a very thin layer of humus (humus) - up to 3-5% as much as possible.
Even soils such as savannah have found their application in human activities - the most suitable ones are used for grazing livestock, as well as for the cultivation of various crops, however, due to their improper use, the already depleted areas turn into depleted and desert areas, incapable of further at least somehow feed both people and animals.
Flora and fauna
To survive in such changing conditions, animals need to adapt to the zone, as, in fact, in all other regions. Savannah and woodlands surprise the richest fauna. For example, in Africa, the savannah territories are mainly inhabited by mammals: giraffes, rhinos, elephants, wildebeests, hyenas, cheetahs, lions, zebras, etc. Anteaters, armadillos, Ondus ostriches, etc. are found in South America. and the number of birds - this is the notorious secretary bird, African ostriches, nectaria, marabou, etc. In Australia, the "inhabitants" of savannahs and woodlands are kangaroos, their marsupials, marsupial, wild dingo dogs. During a drought, herbivores migrate to areas better provided with water and food, on the way to which at times they themselves become the objects of hunting for most predators (and humans too). Common in savannahs and termites.
Describing the flora of such a natural zone as the savannah and woodlands, it is impossible not to mention the baobabs - amazing trees, like camels, accumulating water in their trunk. Acacias, epiphytes, palms, kebracho, tree-like cacti, etc. are also often found. During a drought, many of them turn yellow, wither, but with the advent of rains, the whole environment seems to be reborn again and again gives new animals an opportunity to gain strength and prepare for another drought .