Abiotic Factors |
are the nonliving components of the biosphere. |
Weather
The average day during the winter-dry season is cool, but never gets cold. The summer-rainy season is humid and very wet. |
Soil
In the summer-wet season, the soil in the tropical grassland tends to be very fertile due to constant grazing of large herbivores. However, during the dry season, the soil is extremely unfertile. |
Water Availability
Water is scarce during the winter-dry season, however in the summer months water is somewhat plentiful which allows small shrubs and grasses to thrive. |
("Abiotic Factors")
Biotic Factors |
are the living factors. |
Plants
They are highly specialized to grow in the long periods of drought of the savanna. Some plants have thick barks to resist annual fires and trunks that can store water.Producers provide energy for many species of organisms such as insects, fungi, and larger animals. |
Animals
They eat plants (herbivores) or animals (carnivores) or both (omnivores) to obtain energy for growth and reproduction. The temperate grassland of Botswana is home to home to several species, including zebras, elephants, rhinoceros, and lions. |
("Biotic Factors")
Limiting Factors
Density-dependent limiting factor depends on population size.
• competition • predation • parasitism • disease During the dry season of the savanna great herds grather around water sources. If a watering hole dries up the herds will have to find a new source of water, limiting the size of the population. |
Density Independent limiting factors affect all populations in similar ways, regardless of the population size.
• unusual weather • natural disasters • seasonal cycles • certain human activities During the dry season the grass and plant life become very dry setting up a great chance for wildfires. Wildfires destroy food sources for grazing animals requiring them to move to new places to find food. |
(Edwards)