Savanna

Biotic Factors

Large mammals, Carnivores, Herbivores, Vegetation (small grasses & shrubs)

Abiotic Factors

Weather, Climate (Warm), Rainfall (Not enough to be a rainforest and too much to be a desert), Soil (unfertile in dry season), Water Availability (abundant in summer and scarce in winter-dry season), Wind (Pollination)

Biodiversity

Medium: The topography of the area causes animal speciation to be diverse

Limiting Factors

Water Availability (Different Seasons), Fires, Soil Fertility

Carrying Capacity

Medium-High: In the presence of water, many living species can be supported by the savanna. The vastness of the area allows for separation that would not occur in many other biomes

Plant 1: Bermuda Grass

Taxonomy

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Order: Cyperales

Family: Poaceae

Genus: Cynodon

Species: dactylon

Adaptations

The Bermuda grass has very long roots that extend deep into the ground. This is essential in the environment for when the drought season comes, it is able to survive by deep ground water.
Bermuda grass can grow in poor soil. This is also an adaptation that allows the grass to thrive in the poor soil of the Savanna.
During droughts, the upper parts of the grass die off. This allows the grass to utilize water more efficiently and in essential manners. Also, they will produce more seeds when they are under stress. This adaptation allows the plants to live through a drought because more offspring is produced.
When a cold season comes, the grass will change its proteins and reserve more carbohydrates in the base of the plant. Then, after the cold weather kills a lot of the appendages and leaves, it can then regrow because the core of the plant is still alive.

Plants

Plant 2: Umbrella Thorn Acacia

Taxonomy

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Magnoliphyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Vachellia

Species: tortilis

Adaptations

Like the Bermuda grass, this plant has a deep root system. This adaptation allows the plant to obtain water and nutrients even during the intense droughts.
The umbrella thorn has small leaves at the very top of the plant that allows it to capture as much rain as possible.
The umbrella-shaped top of the umbrella thorn is an adaptation that gives the plant the ability to be exposed to as much sunlight as possible with the smallest amount of leaves on the entire plant.
The plant has thorns all over its branches in order to keep savanna animals away from eating any of its leaves, flowers, or seeds. This is especially important for the plants survival because it must be able to keep all of its external workings to reproduce and survive.