| The savanna is an area of tropical, wooded grassland found in the drier
regions of tropical wet and dry climate, an intermediate stage between
open grassland and forest. Widely scattered, short, flat-topped trees dot
the landscape. The grass is tall and grows in bunches. Grass is different
from other green plants. In most plants, the zones of growth of new plant
tissue are at the tips of leaves, shoots, and roots. In grass, new tissue
grows from the base of the leaves. When animals eat the top portion of
the grass plant, they do not stop it from growing. Underground runners
allow grass to spread over a wide area, and a fibrous mat of roots enables
grass to withstand drought and fire. Grasses are pollinated by the wind;
they are not dependent upon insects that might not be able to withstand
long periods of drought. New grass grows at the start of each rainy season
but soon withers and dies during the dry period. Fire plays an important
role in removing dead material so new plants can grow. |
