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.
revise again
The Savanna climate (also known as the Sudan Climate) is a “transitional” zone. It acts as a bridge between the Hot, Wet Equatorial forests and the Hot, Dry Deserts. It is most famous in Africa (the Sudan region), but also found in the Llanos (Venezuela), Campos (Brazil), and parts of Northern Australia.
1. Climate: The Land of Two Seasons
Unlike the Equator (always wet) or the Desert (always dry), the Savanna has one of each.
- The Rainy Season: Occurs in “summer” (when the sun is overhead). Rainfall is usually convectional (heavy afternoon bursts) and totals about 80 cm to 160 cm.
- The Dry Season: Occurs in “winter.” During this time, the Trade Winds blow from the land (off-shore), bringing no rain. This results in a period of intense drought.
- The Harmattan: In West Africa, a dry, dusty wind from the Sahara (the Harmattan) blows during the dry season. It is known as the “Doctor” because its extreme dryness provides relief from the sticky humidity of the coast.
2. Natural Vegetation: “Parkland”
The Savanna landscape is often described as Parkland—vast stretches of grass with scattered, hardy trees.
- Savanna Grass: This is not the short, green grass of a lawn. It is tall, coarse, and stiff (often called “Elephant Grass”), growing up to 6 to 12 feet high.
- Deciduous Trees: Trees are small and widely spaced. They shed their leaves in the dry season to prevent water loss.
- Water Storage: Some trees have adapted to the drought in unique ways:
- The Baobab Tree: Has an enormous, swollen trunk that acts like a water tank.
- The Acacia Tree: Has long roots to reach underground water and thorny leaves to discourage animals from eating them.
3. Wildlife: “The Big Game Country”
The Savanna is home to the world’s greatest concentration of wild animals. It is divided into two groups:
- Herbivores (Grass-eaters): Zebra, Antelope, Giraffe, Elephant. They are fast runners to escape predators.
- Carnivores (Meat-eaters): Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena. Their colors (tawny yellow) camouflage them against the dry grass.
4. Human Life & Economy
- The Masai: Nomadic cattle herders of East Africa (Kenya/Tanzania). Cattle are a symbol of wealth to them.
- The Hausa: Settled cultivators in Northern Nigeria who grow groundnuts, cotton, and millet.
- Challenges: Soil erosion and overgrazing are major problems as human and animal populations grow.
10 Revision Questions with Mnemonics
Q1: What is the Savanna climate also known as?
- A: The Sudan Climate.
- Mnemonic: “Savanna = Sudan.”
Q2: What is the “Harmattan”?
- A: A dry, dusty wind blowing from the Sahara to the Guinea coast.
- Mnemonic: “Harmattan Heals” (The Doctor wind that cures humidity).
Q3: Describe the grass in the Savanna.
- A: Tall, coarse “Elephant Grass.”
- Mnemonic: “Savanna Stiff grass.”
Q4: How does the Baobab tree survive the dry season?
- A: By storing water in its massive, bottle-like trunk.
- Mnemonic: “Baobab is a Bottle.”
Q5: Who are the Masai?
- A: Nomadic tribes of East Africa who value cattle above all else.
- Mnemonic: “Masai = Mobile Meat” (Cattle herders).
Q6: Why is the Savanna called “Big Game Country”?
- A: Because it contains the largest variety and number of wild herbivores and carnivores.
- Mnemonic: “Big Grass, Big Game.”
Q7: Is the Savanna rainier near the Equator or near the Desert?
- A: Near the Equator (Rainfall decreases as you move toward the deserts).
- Mnemonic: “Equator = Extra rain.”
Q8: Why are Savanna trees usually thorny?
- A: To protect themselves from being eaten by grazing animals.
- Mnemonic: “Thorns for Tongues” (protects from animals).
Q9: What are the “Llanos” and “Campos”?
- A: Regional names for the Savanna in South America (Llanos in Venezuela, Campos in Brazil).
- Mnemonic: “L.V. and C.B.” (Llanos Venezuela; Campos Brazil).
Q10: What is the main food crop of the settled Hausa people?
- A: Millet and Sorghum.
- Mnemonic: “Hausa eat Healthy grain” (Millet).
Quick Summary Table: Savanna Survival
| Adaptation | Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Baobab | Swollen Trunk | Water Tank |
| Acacia | Long Roots | Deep Drinking |
| Zebra/Antelope | Fast Legs | Predator Escape |
| Harmattan | Dry Wind | Humidity Doctor |
