The savanna climate or Sudan Climate is located between equatorial rainforests and hot deserts. Savannas thrive in tropical climates ranging from 8 to 20 degrees north and south of the Equator. Savanna Climate is an important part of the climatology syllabus of geography subject for the UPSC IAS Exam.

Savannah Climate

• The Sudan Climate, also known as the Savanna Climate, is a transitional type of climate found between equatorial forests and trade wind hot deserts.
• It is restricted to the tropics and is best developed in Sudan, where the dry and wet seasons are most distinct, hence the name Sudan Climate.
• The belt extends from West African Sudan to East Africa and southern Africa north of the Tropic of Capricorn.
• There are two distinct savanna regions in South America, north and south of the equator, namely the llanos of the Orinoco basin and the Campos of the Brazilia Highlands.
• The Australian savanna is located south of the monsoon strip that runs north of the Tropic of Capricorn from west to east.
• This climate has rainy and dry seasons that alternate, similar to a monsoon climate, but with significantly lower annual rainfall.
• Furthermore, unlike monsoon climates, there is no distinct rainy season.
• Droughts and floods are frequent occurrences.
• The vegetation, fauna, and human life in monsoon climate zones are all very different.

Distribution

Africa, South America, Australia, India, Myanmar (Burma)–Thailand region of Asia, and Madagascar have the most savannah.

African Savanna

North of the Tropic of Capricorn, the belt contains West African Sudan before curving southwards into East Africa and southern Africa.

South American Savanna

The llanos of the Orinoco basin [north of equator] and the compos of the Brazilian Highlands [south of equator] are two distinct locations.

Australian savanna

The Australian savanna is found south of the monsoon strip (northern Australia), which runs north of the Tropic of Capricorn from west to east.

Indian Savanna

• Certain areas of Northern Karnataka, Southern Maharashtra, and Telangana have both semi-arid and savanna climate features.
• This region differs from other savanna zones due to irrigation and horticulture.

Savanna Climate

Rainfall

• The average annual rainfall is between 80 and 160 cm [rainfall reduces as you get further away from the equator].
• The rainy season in the northern hemisphere begins in May and lasts until September.
• The rainy season in the southern hemisphere runs from October to March.

Temperature

• The average yearly temperature is over 18° C.
• For lowland sites, the monthly temperature ranges from 20° C to 32° C.
• The hottest months do not correspond with the hottest days of the year but rather with the start of the rainy season.
• It's hot during the day and freezing at night. Another distinguishing element is the wide diurnal temperature range.

Winds

• The Trade Winds are the dominant winds in the region, bringing rain to the coastal districts.
• They are strongest in the summer, but by the time they reach the continental interiors or western beaches, they are comparatively dry .
• In West Africa, the North-East Trades blow off-shore [continent to sea] from the Sahara Desert and arrive as dry, dust-laden winds on the Guinea coast.

Natural Vegetation

• Tallgrass and low trees characterize the savanna landscape.
• Grasslands are also referred to as 'bush-veld.'
• The trees are deciduous, and in the chilly, dry season, they shed their leaves to minimize excessive water loss through transpiration.
• To survive the prolonged drought, trees normally have broad trunks with water-storing systems.
• Many trees are umbrella-shaped, with only a thin edge exposed to the powerful winds.
• The grass on real savanna lands is tall and coarse, growing 6 to 12 feet tall.
• Elephant grass can grow to be up to 15 feet tall.
• Grasses appear green and nourished during the rainy season, but turn yellow and die during the next dry season.
• As the rainfall decreases as you got closer to the deserts, the savanna gives way to thorny scrub.

Wildlife

• Thousands of animals are trapped or slaughtered each year by people from all over the world in the savanna, which is known as "big game country."
• The grass-eating herbivorous animals and the flesh-eating carnivorous animals are the two primary categories of animals in the savanna.
• Zebra, antelope, giraffe, deer, gazelle, elephant, and other herbivorous mammals
• The lion, tiger, leopard, hyena, panther, jaguar, jackal, and other carnivorous animals are examples.
• In rivers and marshy lakes, reptiles and mammals such as crocodiles, alligators, and huge lizards coexist with larger rhinoceros and hippopotamus.

Life and Economy

• The savanna region is home to several tribes.
• Pastoralists such as the Masai of the East African plateau, whereas the Hausa of northern Nigeria is established, are cultivators.
• Immigrant white settlers took over Masai tribes' ancient grazing grounds in the Kenyan Highlands for plantation agriculture (coffee, tea, cotton) and dairy production.
• The Masai keep cattle solely for the purpose of milk production. Cattle are not slaughtered for meat.
• Agriculture is a rare occurrence.
• The Hausa are an established farmer group who live in Nigeria's savanna lands. Their society is more advanced.
• They do not cultivate in a moving manner. Instead, they clear a plot of land and live on it for a while.

Farming

• Due to inconsistent rainfall, droughts last for a long time.
• The development of agricultural infrastructure is hampered by political instability.
• During the rainy season, severe downpours result in nitrate, phosphate, and potash leaching.
• The majority of the water evaporates during the dry season due to extreme warmth and evaporation.
• As a result, many savanna areas have poor lateritic soils that can't support excellent crops.

Cattle rearing

• Many of the indigenous inhabitants are pastoralists, and the savanna is regarded to be a natural cattle habitat.
• However, the quality of the grass does not allow for large-scale ranching.
• Grasses here are no match for temperate grasslands' nourishing and soft grasses.
• The cow breeds are also subpar, producing little meat or milk.
• So far, neither beef nor milk exports from the tropical grasslands have been significant.
• With the adoption of science and technology, only a few regions advanced.
• Queensland has overtaken Victoria as Australia's leading cattle producer. Meat and milk are both exported.

Crops

• Settlements in central Africa, northern Australia, and eastern Brazil have demonstrated that the savannas offer enormous agricultural potential for cotton, sugar cane, coffee, oil palm, groundnuts, and even tropical fruits plantation agriculture.
• Despite the lack of labor, tropical Queensland has been remarkably effective in developing its vast undeveloped terrain.
• Cotton production has already begun on a considerable scale in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi.
• Commercial production of groundnuts, oil palm, and cocoa has increasingly expanded into savanna regions in West Africa.
• Temperate crops have been successfully grown in the cooler highlands.

Significance

• The Savanna climate supports a wide range of plants, including grasslands, tough weather-resistant trees, and rich fauna.
• They also play an important role in global climate regulation, for example, by storing large amounts of carbon.

Conclusion

Protecting savannas is important because they are rich in biodiversity. Above all, they are home to some of the most unusual creatures and birds on the planet.

FAQs

Q1: What is the savannah climate?

Q2: Where is the Sudan type climate found?

Q3: What are the characteristics of the savannah climate?

Q4: How does the Sudan climate differ from the equatorial climate?

Q5: What types of vegetation are commonly found in savannah and Sudan climates?

MCQs

1. The savannah climate is characterized by:

A) Consistent rainfall throughout the year

B) A distinct wet and dry season

C) Heavy snowfall in winter

D) Desert-like conditions year-round

2. Which of the following regions typically experiences a Sudan type climate?

A) Northern Canada

B) Sahara Desert

C) Regions south of the Sahara and north of equatorial Africa

D) The Amazon rainforest

3. Vegetation in savannah climates mainly consists of:

A) Dense rainforests

B) Grasslands with scattered trees

C) Tundra vegetation

D) Arid desert shrubs

4. The primary difference between the Sudan climate and the equatorial climate is:

A) The presence of snow in the Sudan climate

B) The length and intensity of the wet and dry seasons

C) The absence of vegetation in both climates

D) Constant rainfall throughout the year in both climates

5. What is a common adaptation of trees in the savannah climate?

A) Shallow roots

B) Shedding leaves during the dry season

C) Flowering year-round

D) Growing only in waterlogged soils

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Explain the key characteristics of the savannah and Sudan type climates and their impact on vegetation.

Answer: The savannah and Sudan type climates are characterized by hot temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season brings heavy rainfall, while the dry season experiences limited or no rain. Vegetation in these climates typically consists of grasslands interspersed with scattered trees like acacias and baobabs. The plants are adapted to withstand prolonged dry spells through mechanisms like shedding leaves, deep root systems, and water storage in trunks. These climatic conditions support a diverse ecosystem, with herbivores depending on grasses and predators relying on them, creating a balanced food web.

Q2: Analyze the impact of the savannah climate on human activities and livelihoods.

Answer: The savannah climate significantly influences human activities and livelihoods. The seasonal rainfall supports agriculture, with crops like millet and sorghum thriving during the wet season. Pastoralism is common, as grasslands provide fodder for livestock. However, the prolonged dry season can lead to water scarcity, impacting crop yields and livestock health. Communities adapt through rainwater harvesting, crop rotation, and sustainable grazing practices. Climate variability and increasing droughts pose challenges, necessitating resilience strategies such as drought-resistant crops, improved irrigation, and diversified livelihoods to ensure food security and economic stability.

Q3: Discuss the environmental challenges faced by regions with the Sudan type climate and suggest mitigation measures.

Answer: Regions with the Sudan type climate face several environmental challenges, including desertification, soil erosion, and water scarcity due to prolonged dry periods. Overgrazing and deforestation exacerbate land degradation, reducing agricultural productivity and threatening biodiversity. Climate change further intensifies these issues, leading to unpredictable rainfall patterns. Mitigation measures include afforestation, sustainable land management practices, water conservation initiatives, and promoting agroforestry. Community-based conservation programs and policies that address land-use management can help restore ecosystems, enhance soil fertility, and improve resilience against climate-induced challenges.

Previous Year Questions on  Savannah Climate

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Evaluate the impact of seasonal rainfall patterns on agriculture in regions with a savannah climate.

Answer: Seasonal rainfall in the savannah climate directly influences agricultural activities, as crops are primarily rain-fed. The wet season supports the cultivation of staple crops like millet, maize, and sorghum, providing essential food security. However, the prolonged dry season poses challenges, including water scarcity, reduced soil fertility, and vulnerability to droughts. Farmers often rely on traditional methods like shifting cultivation, but climate variability can impact yields. Sustainable practices, such as rainwater harvesting, crop diversification, and the use of drought-resistant varieties, are necessary to mitigate risks and enhance agricultural productivity in such regions.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the adaptations of flora and fauna in the Sudan type climate to cope with seasonal changes.

Answer: Flora and fauna in the Sudan type climate exhibit various adaptations to cope with seasonal changes. Plants, such as acacias and baobabs, have deep root systems to access underground water and often shed leaves to conserve moisture during the dry season. Grass species grow rapidly during the wet season, providing food for herbivores, and then go dormant in dry periods. Fauna, including large herbivores and predators, migrate in search of water and food during dry spells. Many animals exhibit behavioral adaptations, such as burrowing or nocturnal activity, to avoid extreme heat. These adaptations ensure survival and resilience in an environment characterized by distinct wet and dry periods.