Plant Life
Sample Population
There are many different types of animals in the savanna. Some of these plants include:
- Acacia Senegal
- Baobab
- Bermuda Grass
- Candelabra Tree
- Elephant Grass
- Gum Tree Eukalyptus
- Jackalberry Tree
- Jarrah Tree
- Kangaroo Paw
- Manketti Tree
- River Bush Willow
- Umbrella Thorn Acacia
- Whistling Thorn
- Red Mangroove
Adaptions
Plants have to be able to survive long periods of drought during the dry season. One way plants have adapted to the dry season are the long tap roots found on some trees that are able to reach the deep water table. Some plants have storage organs like bulbs and corns to store water for the dry season while many trees have thick trunks that can store water. During the dry season there are also many natural fires so trees must have thick bark to resist them. There are also many grazers in the savanna so grasses have to grow from the bottom up to prevent being damaged. Many grasses also are too sharp and bitter tasting for the animals to eat.
Natural Selection
In order to survive in the savanna plants must have a way to survive the long periods of drought during the dry season. For example trees that could store a lot water in their trunks were most likely to survive through the dry season and pass on their genes to their off spring. Another example of natural selection is through the natural fires that are common during the dry seasons. These fires will burn down a lot of the plant life in the savanna except for the trees with extremely thick bark. The trees with thinner bark will perish in the fire leaving only ones that have thick enough bark to resist the fire to pass on their genes.
Key Stone Species
The red mangrove is a keystone species in the savanna. These trees have long stilted roots that arch down to the water at the edge of tropical shores. These roots stabilize the soil and prevent costal areas from erosion. These trees also provide hiding places for many animals.