Found on either side of the equator

Mostly in Africa, but also in India, South America & Australia

Found at high altitudes & high elevations

Mainly in the Arctic but Alpine-Tundra conditions found throughout the world’s high elevations

Typically located between 55°N & 80°N Located around 30°-40°S & 30°-50°N

Savannah Sub-Classes• Woodland Savannah• Acacia savannah

• East Africa• Pine savannah

• Sandy soils of Central America

• Grass Savannah• Serengeti Plains

• Climatic Savannah• Result from climatic conditions of distinct wet/dry seasons

• Edaphic Savannah• Caused by soil conditions preventing deep root systems

• Derived Savannah• Due to people clearing the land for cultivation

Vegetation• Continuous perennial grass coverage• Roots containing starch reserves lay dormant until the

rains wipe out the fires• Able to grow up to an inch within 24 hrs• Rhodes, Star, Lemon & Red Oat

• Forbs• Small broad-leaf• Underground stems protected from fire by soil

• Fire-resistant trees• Typically do not exceed 10 ms in height• Vascular bundles scattered in trunk rather than around the

outer layer providing protection against fire & give the ability to rejuvenate

• Porous• Low fertility• Rapid water drainage• Thin layer of humus• Laterization: created by alternating wet and dry

seasons exposing the lateritic soils to the sun• makes the ground impermeable to water• prevents root penetration• inhibits tree growth

• Tundra• Climate: 6-10 months winter season with

temperatures below freezing• Annual rainfall of 5-10 inches• Short growing season• Soil: relatively unknown due to permafrost

• Encircles the North Pole & extends south to coniferous forest– usually contains frozen subsoil

• Divided by latitudes– High Arctic Tundra

• Confined to islands of the Arctic Ocean• Characterized by perennial forbs, moss, lichen

– Middle Arctic Tundra• Arctic Coastal Plain with freeze-thaw activity

– Low Arctic Tundra• Woody shrubs, willow, birch, needleleaf evergreen

• Located on mountains at high altitudes– Well-drained soil– Freeze-thaw follows a diurnal cycle rather than a

seasonal cycle like that of the Arctic Tundra– Unable to sustain tree life– Tussock grass, dwarf trees, small-leaf shrubs,

heaths

• Relatively unknown due to permafrost• Permafrost composed of gravel & finer material• After water saturates the upper surface, moisture

sinks & plant life is sustainable

• Vegetation: protected by snow cover in winter – Ground-hugging and warmth preserving plants– Grouped closely– Dwarf shrubs, sedges, mosses, lichens

Acacia Senegal-Small sized thorn tree located in the African Grassland

Bermuda Grass- Common type of grass through the Savannas of Africa

Gum Tree Eucalyptus-commonly in the plains and savannas of Australia. Can grow 20-30 feet

Caribou Moss-actually a lichen not a moss.Caribous and reindeer feed on it.

The Yellow Tundra Flower.

Graphics and info from

• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra.htm

• http://www.Ucmp.berkley.edu• http://www.runet.edu• http://www.wikipedia.org•