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Chapter 6 - Forms of Savanna: From Woodland to Grassland
from Part II - The Savanna Garden: Grassy Vegetation and Plant Dynamics
Norman Owen-Smith, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Book:

Only in Africa

Published online:

09 September 2021

Print publication:

07 October 2021, pp 69-96
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Summary

This chapter covers factors governing the prevalence of savanna and grassland formations. Savannas are climatically defined by the duration and intensity of the dry season. The tree canopy potentially closes above 650 mm in mean annual rainfall, but is widely variable. Above 1000 mm either a savanna woodland or a forest/grassland mosaic may prevail. Soil fertility based on bedrock geology coupled with rainfall underlies a division between arid/eutrophic and mesic/dystrophic savanna forms, not represented on other continents. Corresponding vegetation distinctions exist between fine-leaved and broad-leaved savannas. Water redistribution within landscapes contributes to local variation in tree canopy cover. Several factors contribute to the lack of tree cover in grasslands, but especially soils. The savanna biome is more widespread in Africa than in other continents. Characteristic tree and grass species are described in an appendix.