What are the main climatic features of a savanna?
The most distinctive feature of the savanna regions is the seasonal rainfall, which dominates during the three to five months of summer season. Climatic data show that nearly all savannas are in regions with average annual temperatures from 15°C to 25°C and annual rainfall of 81 cm.
What is savanna climatic region?
The savanna climate is named for the mixed grassland and tree vegetation which is characteristic of the climate. On the margins with the rainforest, trees dominate the landscape but open areas of grass and shrubs are interspersed. In the drier areas grasses predominate with some trees scattered throughout.
Where is the savanna type of climate found in Africa?
Savanna or Sudan climate is a transitional type of climate found between the equatorial forests & trade wind hot deserts. It is confined within the tropics (Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn) & is best developed in Sudan, where dry & wet climate are most distinct, hence named Sudan climate.
Where is the savanna climate?
Tropical savanna climates are most commonly found in Africa, Asia and South America. The climate is also prevalent in sections of Central America, northern Australia, the Pacific Islands, in sections of North America and some islands in the Caribbean.
What are 5 characteristics of a savanna?
Savanna vegetation includes scrub , grasses and occasional trees, which grow near water holes , seasonal rivers or aquifers . Plants and animals have to adapt to the long dry periods. Many plants are xerophytic – for example, the acacia tree with its small, waxy leaves and thorns.
What are the characteristics of the savanna ecosystem?
The African savanna ecosystem is a tropical grassland with warm temperatures year-round and with its highest seasonal rainfall in the summer. The savanna is characterized by grasses and small or dispersed trees that do not form a closed canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the ground.
Are there rivers in the African savanna?
Water is necessary for all life, and the savanna grasslands are typically dry with little rain over the course of the year. Major rivers provide much of the water for the people of the savanna, and large population centers typically develop in these areas.
What causes savanna climate?
These winds have an enormous impact on the rains in this climate zone. For example, rainfall in the savanna decreases from east to west. They are also the cause of the alternating dry and wet seasons. During summer, onshore winds bring rain and in winter, offshore winds keep the savanna region dry.
What seasons does the savanna have?
Savannas exist in areas where there is a 6 – 8 month wet summer season, and a 4 – 6 month dry winter season. The annual rainfall is from 10 – 30 inches (25 – 75 cm) per year. During the dry season, lightning often strikes the ground, igniting the dry grasses that cover the savanna.
Which cities have a tropical savanna climate?
The following cities have a tropical savanna climate (or Aw, using the Köppen climate classification [1] ): Bangalore , India. Bangkok , Thailand. Brasília , Brazil. Caracas , Venezuela. Chennai , India. Havana , Cuba. Ho Chi Minh , Vietnam. Kinshasa , DR Congo.
Which African climate zone is home to the savanna?
The African climate zone that is home to the savanna is a wet/dry tropical climate zone, with the dry season in the winter.
What are facts about African savanna?
Almost half of Africa is considered a savanna. Because of the extended periods of wet and dry climate in the savanna biome, the availability of food changes throughout the year. Some animals go so long without water during the dry season that they barely make it alive to the wet season.
When is the rainy season in the savanna?
Annual rainfall in the African Savanna is about the same as that of Wisconsin. During the rainy season, beginning in May and ending in November, they get fifteen to twenty-five inches of rain a month. In the dry season they only get about four inches of rain.