The savanna grassland biome

Question 1

Where is the tropical grassland biome found

Answer 1

15 degrees north and 30 degrees south

Question 2

What is the temperature range in the savanna biome in the dry season

Answer 2

18-34 degrees

Question 3

How are fires often started in the savanna biome

Answer 3

lightning strikes

Question 4

Example of tree species in the savanna biome and its adaptations

Answer 4

Baobab, they have thick barks enabling them to be fire resistance. THis thick trunk can store water to insulate it and protect from fires. They have long tap routes that protect from

Question 5

Why are the nutrients deep into the soil in a savanna biome

Answer 5

Leaching - where nutrients are carried further through the soil profile.

Question 6

How is the african wild dog adapted to life in the savanna

Answer 6

it has a light body and long legs enabling it to chase pray, its large ears enable it to lose heat

Question 7

How is overgrazing impacting the savanna biome

Answer 7

Positive feedback loop, more agriculture means less areas for animal grazing means more stress on other areas causing more overgraxzing a soil erosion.

Also over work soil and deplete it of nutrients

Question 8

What are the adaptations of the acacia tree

Answer 8

they have a low-umbrella shaped canopy that provides shade for the shallow roots, thus reducing soil water evaporation and they have small waxy leaves to reduce water lose and they loose their leaves during dry season

Question 9

What happens if vegetation is destroyed in the savanna biome

Answer 9

Soil becomes exposed to wind and water erosion eventually leading to desertifcation

Question 10

What is the percentage decline in species in the serengeti in

Answer 10

75%

Question 11

What percentage increase of population around and in the serengeti in the past 40 years

Answer 11

An increase in 400%

Question 12

How does rainfall vary each year

Answer 12

500-2000mm each year

Question 13

What are the characteristics of soil

Answer 13

Up to 2 metres in depth
Similar to those in tropical rainforests - red and iron rich latersols - however reduced rainfall and weathering mean they are rich in silica and organic material. Long dry seasons lead to upward movement of water into the soil - evaporate - and this salinization

Question 14

What does the productivity of the ecosystem depend on

Answer 14

vegetation cover and length of the dry season as it is less than half the tropical rainforests

Question 15

How is growing population impacting the suvanna

Answer 15

Leading to overgrazing, overcultivation and deforestation for resources

Question 16

What is desertification

Answer 16

Begins with the loss of vegitation cover (human activity or drought)
Less organic matter is incorporated into the soil and the soil is exposed to wind and water erosion. YThe bare surface is also “baked” by the sun - impermeable crust formed

Question 17

Why is salinlisation happening in the suvanna

Answer 17

Poorly designed irrigation systems - Insufficient fresh water used. Causes salts to build up in the soil and evaporate to leave salt crusts which plants cant survive with

Question 18

Why is population an increasing threat to the biome

Answer 18

more areas of land needed for cultivation - formally areas left for 7-15 years fallow (due to nomadic herders) to recover however increasing pressure means they farm the land when it has not fully recovered.

Question 19

How can salinisation be fixed

Answer 19

Providing adaquate water andf drainage to flush out

Question 20

How many people visit the Serengeti each year for tourism

Answer 20

100,000

Question 21

What is the impact surrounding the park on the environment

Answer 21

High demand for land due to food resources needed to sustain tourism and the population surrounding the park. And areas to graze the livestock

Question 22

What is the tribe pushed outside the Serengeti

Answer 22

The maassi

Question 23

How many animals are sacrificed to the meat trade in the Serengeti

Answer 23

200,000

Question 24

How many management staff are there for the Serengeti

Answer 24

180 - 80 to poaching, 35 administrators

Question 25

How does the small management team impact the serengeti

Answer 25

too small to manage the whole areas and eliminate poaching

Question 26

How many of the 100,000 toursits visiting the serengeti are tourists

Answer 26

2/3

Question 27

what does economic growth come with in toursism

Answer 27

growth in hotels, roads to connect to hotels and airports –> disrupt the environment

Question 28

How has the Serengeti been traditionally farmed

Answer 28

nomadic herders

Question 29

What has been the impact of the removal of the herders from the game reserves

Answer 29

Both settlers and farmers are encroaching on the land in order to access resoruces