Chapter 17 of G.C. Leong’s Certificate Physical and Human Geography is titled “The Savanna or Sudan Climate.” It details the transition between equatorial rainforests and hot deserts.
1. Distribution
The Savanna climate serves as a transitional zone and is located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
- Africa: Best developed in Sudan (hence the name “Sudan type”), extending into West Africa, East Africa, and South Africa.
- South America: Known as Llanos in the Orinoco basin and Campos in the Brazilian Highlands.
- Australia: Found in Northern and Central Australia.
2. Climatic Characteristics
- Distinct Seasons: Alternating hot, rainy summers and cool, dry winters.
- Rainfall: Annual precipitation ranges from 80 cm to 160 cm. Rainfall is unreliable and decreases as one moves poleward toward the deserts.
- Temperature: Average monthly temperatures range between 21°C and 32°C.
- Diurnal Range: Extremely high daily temperature ranges (up to 25°C) occur during the dry season due to clear skies and rapid radiation at night.
- Winds: Influenced by Trade Winds, which are strongest in summer but become dry as they move inland or toward western coasts.
3. Natural Vegetation
Savanna landscapes are typified by parkland or bushveld featuring tall grasses and scattered trees.
- Tall Grasses: Often 6 to 12 feet high (e.g., Elephant Grass) with long roots to tap groundwater during dry spells.
- Drought-Resistant Trees: Most trees are deciduous (shedding leaves to prevent water loss) or have water-storing mechanisms.
- Acacia: Umbrella-shaped to provide shade and reduce ground evaporation.
- Baobab and Bottle Tree: Possess thick, succulent trunks for water storage.
4. Animal Life: “The Big Game Country”
The Savanna is home to a diverse range of wildlife adapted to the open grasslands.
- Herbivores: Alert and swift animals like zebras, giraffes, and antelopes.
- Carnivores: Powerful predators like lions, tigers, and cheetahs.
- National Parks: Many regions, particularly in East Africa (e.g., Kenya and Tanzania), serve as major tourism hubs for wildlife viewing.
5. Human Life and Economy
- Tribal Life:
- Masai: Nomadic cattle herders in East Africa (Kenya/Tanzania) who view Zebu cattle as a symbol of wealth.
- Hausa: Settled cultivators in Northern Nigeria who grow crops like groundnuts, cotton, and tobacco.
- Agriculture: Primarily subsistence farming (maize, millet, sorghum). Soil quality is often poor (lateritic) due to leaching during heavy summer rains.
- Cattle Rearing: While widespread, large-scale commercial ranching is limited by subpar grass quality and heat-prone cattle breeds, except in advanced regions like Queensland, Australia.
