The savannah

Different vegetation zones are found within the Tropics. These zones depend on the time in which plants have enough available water to grow. One makes a distinction after number arid* and humid** months:

* arid = evaporation is greater than the annual precipitatio -> dry
** humid = annual precipitation are greater than evaporation -> wet

Humid savannah

• Location
  • Africa, Asia, Australia, India, Southamerica
• Climate
  • 7–9½ humid months
• Annual rainfall
  • 1000–1500 mm
• Vegetation
  • up to 6 m height, evergreen grasses, lightly closed savannah forest, gallery forests along rivers.
• Use
  • rainfed agriculture

Dry savannah

• Location
  • Africa, Asia, Australia
• Climate
  • 4,5-7 humid months
• Annual rainfall
  • 500–1000 mm
• Vegetation
  • breasthigh grasses, light tree population
• Use
  • rainfed agriculture, pasture management

Thorn savannah

• Location
  • Africa, Asia, Mexico, South America
• Climate
  • 2–4,5 humid months
• Annual rainfall
  • 250–500 mm
• Vegetation
  • up to 30 cm grasses
• Use
  • pasture management