Plants
Manketti Tree
The Manketti Tree is often found in the lush South African Savanna's. Not many people are aware of this tree and don't fully recognize it as unique from any other tree. The Manketti tree's rapidly grow and are spread out throughout the Savanna like the electron movement of a gas, however not moving around. Another name for this tree, which is formally known as "Ricinodendron". However, other common names for the tree are: mongongo nut and featherweight tree. This tree is located in the normal flatland's but enjoys growing in sand dunes and wooded hills. Desert conditions produce thriving Manketti's because of the hot, dry, and low precipitation in which the trees prefer. As you can see in the picture, the Ricinodendron has a large beige coloured trunk with short, writhing branches. The Manketti tree can grow from a vertical of 49 - 66 feet tall. As you can see in this picture to the left, there are no leaves because they lose them in the winter to conserve water. The leaves look like a distinctive "hand-shape", are 6 inches width and length and are dark green on either side. Early in the summer, these tree's develop white flowers oval in shape. The Manketti tree uses multiple adaptations to survive such as the leaves falling off to conserve water.
Elephant Grass
Commonly known as the Napier grass or Uganda grass, it is found originally in Africa. It is sometimes considered as a weed in many areas such as ditches and rich flatland soil. Growing up to 10 feet tall, this invasive and giant plant has wood like stouts. They are old and therefore they become hard and lighter in colour however not like bamboo because above the stout hangs large leaves. This plant acts as a great resource for farmers to bring home to their pets/animals as food. Since they will just regrow back to 10 feet, there is usually unlimited sources. The leafs are extremely sharp, which make it a great place for birds to live as well as the strong foundation of the plant. The Uganda grass reproduces sexually by seeds which are not very successful. This grass needs to be in tropical conditions where hot weather is constant, if there is a chill, this plant may die.
Umbrella Thorn Acacia
Umbrella Thorn Acacia is also known as Acacia Tortillis, it's Latin name. They are found in sandy dunes and rocky scarps. Usually, this tree tends to live in area's of good soil and good grass. Annual rainfall is necessary lower than 40mm-120mm and can have dry seasons from 1-12 months long still being able to survive. Tropical grasslands are this tree's homeland as the base area of the tree is rich in soil and grasses. The Acacia Tortillis consists of tiny and soft leaves, thorns which grow in pairs, and soft, white,spherical flowers. However, the flowers only bloom in December which is "Summer". Hence the name "Umbrella Thorn Acacia", it is in the shape of an umbrella. It provides good shelter and protection for birds as well as food for multiple animals. This tree ranges from 5-20 meters tall good for nesting protection. The pods, which are the flowers can be eaten by human and animal after fallen to the ground. (except elephant) The Acacia can be used for many other things non-biome related such as firewood, furniture, etc. Some people make weapons out of many components within this tree and others use it for the decoration/jewelry.
There are many other plants within this Savanna, however I cannot describe all of them. Some other plants are: Acacia Senegal, Baobab, Bermuda grass, Candelabra tree, Jackalberry tree, River Bushwillow, and the Whistling Thorn.
Invasive Species
There are many invasive species in the South African Savanna, however most of the species are plants such as Bermuda grass. The Bermuda grass is very invasive and competitive with positive and negative features. This grass serves as a highly nutritional food for cattle and sheep. Before Bermuda grass could of been processed, it was a farmers worst nightmare and a pain in general as it was such a common weed. Although it was a weed, it saved a lot of farm soil from wearing away. Fires are fairly often in South Africa, and this plant usually burns easily. On the other hand, it grows back the fastest. Another invasive plant is the Elephant grass which has been described above. The Elephant grass often clogs waterways which reduces the amount water flow. The major downfall about this plant, is that a light chill may kill the plant. An example of an alien plant coming from Eastern Europe and Asia is called the Pink Tamarisk (Tamarix Ramosissima). This species invaded South Africa and is affecting it by replacing native plants. The upside of this plant is that it can provide honey, shade, and erosion control. These are just some plants which effect the South African Savanna.
Succession
Primary Succession
There was a fire which spread largely through a part of the Savanna. After everything was burned down, there was nothing left but soil, however that eventually eroded. This invasive species called "Mesembryanthemum", known by the South Africans as the Icicle plant is a "resurrection" plant. At the start of a succession, this plant is the first to grow along with types of lichen and moss on rock sides. A thin layer of soil was slowly made after the rocks were broken down into soil caused by the plants with the help of wind. Grass slowly started to grow as well as Bermuda grass. The Bermuda grass started to grow from animals moving seeds around through an eating/excretion. From that point on, more plants and animals started to populate this area until it reached its climax community.
Secondary Succession
Same process as above, however when the fire spread largely through a part of the Savanna, the soil was not obliterated. Therefore, the invasive plants just grew on the soil without needing the soil to be created first.
Adaptations
Manketti Tree
Originally a deciduous tree, it has made many adaptations to be living in the Savanna of South Africa. The trunk has adapted to be able to hold water in it's trunk for the 1 or 2 times it rains annually. It's roots are also super long to access water from long range, this adds the volume of water able to consumer in a certain amount of time. Normally, this tree will drop it's "hand" leaves to conserve water because these leaves require water to live. Fires are always happening so the bark of this tree is massive and thick to prevent catching on fire. These adaptations happen mostly because of the hot weather and environment. Without the conservation of water, the Manketti may not be able to survive the hot months on end. Since forest fires occur often, the bark needs to be thick to reduce the damaging effects.
Candelabra Tree
This unique looking tree has made a couple adaptations to be able to live in this biome. With the lack of tree's in a dense population, often animals will try to obtain food from the first tree or plant found in a certain distance. However, this tree prevents that animal from eating it because it has sticky poisonous sap. If this white sap comes into contact with human skin, it will instantly blister and can cause bad side effects if eaten such as nausea and diarrhea. Another way this plant keeps it's "spines" is by the sharpness of the spines. This keeps away all feeding animals once in contact. Just like any other tree in the Savanna, they have to be able to survive the hot water and conserve water when needed; this is exactly what this tree can do. Since most of these tree's aren't always in the sunniest and hottest area's, they have adapted to be able to survive in a partially shaded field.
Pyramid of Energy
Producers < Herbivores < Carnivores < Top Carnivores
Primary Producers < Primary Consumers < Secondary Consumers < Tertiary Consumers
Primary Producers < Primary Consumers < Secondary Consumers < Tertiary Consumers
Symbiosis
Mutualism
A symbiotic relationship that happens within the Savanna of South Africa is the mutualism between the Nigriceps Ants and the Whistling Thorn Acacia. The Whistling Thorn Acacia has many thorns, however it also has thorn pairs growing out of bulbs as shown in the picture. These area's on the tree make a great place for the Ant to create it's nest. The Ant benefits because the tree have "nectaries" at the end of their leaves to produce a sweet juice which they eat. In return, the Whistling Thorn benefits because the Nigriceps protect the tree from any ongoing branches or unnecessary parts so that the tree grows straight up and has no contact with other tree's/bush's. This action is called "pruning", the tree than gets healthier leaves and enlarged nectaries. Therefore it is a win-win situation for everyone in this case "mutualism"