savannas and woodlands are found, usually in subequatorial zones.These areas are found in both hemispheres.But savannah areas can be found in the subtropics and tropics.This zone is characterized by a number of signs.The climate in the savannah is always seasonally wet.There is a clear change in periods of drought and rain.It is this seasonal rhythm determines all natural processes.For the woodlands and savannas are characterized ferralitic soil.The vegetation of these zones is rare, with free-standing groups of trees.
savanna climate
savannas and woodlands are climatic features.Firstly, it is clear, rhythmic change of two periods of drought and heavy rains.Each season usually lasts about six months.Secondly, for the savanna is characterized by a change of air masses.Wet equatorial comes in the wake of tropical dry.The climate is also affected by the frequent monsoon winds.They bring a season of torrential rains.Savannah is almost always located between the dry desert areas and humid equatorial forests.Therefore, these landscapes are constantly experiencing the impact of both zones.It is important to note that moisture is kept long enough in these areas.Therefore, there do not grow stacked wood.But the relatively short winter periods not give savannah turned into desert.
Soil savannah
to savannas and woodlands characterized by the predominance of red and brown, as well as the fusion of black soil.They differ primarily in low humus content by weight.Soil base saturation, therefore the pH is close to neutral.They are not fertile.At the bottom of some profiles can be detected glandular nodules.The average thickness of the upper layer of earth is about 2 meters.In the predominance of reddish-brown soil in relief depressions montmorillonite appears dark-colored ground.Very often such combinations can be found in the southern Deccan Plateau part.
Savannah Australia
savannas and woodlands of Australia occupy a large area of the mainland.They are concentrated in the northern part of the continent.Also, they take up more space on the island of New Guinea, capturing almost the entire southern part.Australian Savannah has its differences.It is not like any African nor the South American.During the rainy season its entire territory covered bright flowering plants.It is dominated by the buttercup family, orchid and lily.Also in this zone often occur cereals.
To Australian savannas are typical woody plants.The first eucalyptus, casuarinas and acacia.They focus-standing groups.Casuarina leaves are very interesting.They consist of individual segments and resemble needles.In this area there are also interesting trees with thick trunks.In them, they accumulate the necessary moisture.Because of this characteristic, they are called "bottle tree".The presence of these peculiar plants and makes the Australian savannah unique.
African Savannah
savannas and woodlands of Africa north and south border the tropical forest.Nature here is unique.The border area is gradually thinning forests, their structure becomes markedly poorer.Among continuous woodland savanna spot appears.These vegetation changes occur due to reduction of the rainy season and an increase in the dry season.As the distance from the equatorial zone of drought becomes longer.
There is a view supported by the facts that such a widespread tall savannah, which are replaced by mixed deciduous and evergreen forests, is directly linked to human activities.For quite a long time in these areas is constantly burned vegetation.Therefore, there was the inevitable disappearance of the closeness of the tree layer.This contributed to the arrival of these lands large herds of hoofed mammals.As a result of the restoration of woody vegetation has become virtually impossible.
savannas and woodlands of Eurasia
in Eurasia savannas are not common.They are found only on much of the Indian subcontinent.Also woodlands can be found on the territory of Indochina.In these places the monsoon climate prevails.In European savannas mostly grow lonely acacia and palm trees.Herbs tend to be high.In some places, you can find patches of forest.Savannas and woodlands of Eurasia differ from African and South American.The main animals in these territories - is elephants, tigers, antelopes.There is also an abundance of different species of reptiles.Rare forest areas represented by deciduous trees.During the dry season they shed their leaves.
savannas and woodlands of North America
savannah area in North America has not been as widespread as in Australia and Africa.Open spaces woodlands occupied mainly cereal herbaceous species.Tall grass alternates with small, scattered groves.
most common types of wood, which characterize the savannas and woodlands of North America - a mimosa and acacia.During the dry season, the trees shed their leaves.Herbs dry.But during the rainy season savanna bloom.Every year the woodland area is increasing.The main reason - active business person.Savannah formed on the site of the felled forest.The fauna of these areas is much poorer than the rest of the continent.Here there are some species of ungulates, pumas, rodents and a large number of snakes and lizards.
Savannah South American
savannas and light forests of South America, bordered with tropical forest.Because of climate change, which is associated with the appearance of a long dry season, these areas into one another.In the highlands of Brazil in large part located savanna.They are concentrated mainly in the hinterland.Here you can find a band of almost pure palm forest.
savannas and woodlands also occupy large areas in the Orinoco lowlands.They are in the areas of the Guiana Highlands.In Brazil, the typical savannah better known under the name "Campos."The vegetation is represented in more cereal species.Also, there are many members of the family Asteraceae and legumes.Wood forms sometimes completely absent.Here and there you can still find small remote sites mimosa thickets.Yet there are growing treelike cacti, euphorbias and other succulents and xerophytes.
Brazilian Caatinga
savannas and woodlands in the northeast of Brazil presented sparse forests, which grow mainly drought-resistant shrubs and trees.This area is called the "Caatinga".The soils are reddish-brown.But more interesting are the tree name.In the dry season, many of them shed their leaves, but there are some species that have swollen trunk.It plant accumulates a sufficient amount of moisture.These kinds of concerns, such as milkweed.Trees covered with vines Caatinga and other epiphytic plants.There are in these areas, and several species of palms.The most famous of them - the carnauba wax palm.From it is prepared vegetable wax.
