Factors of Soil
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Soil in the savannas depends on five main factors. They are:
- Parent Material (For example; if the parent material is granite, then the soil is sandy and less fertile)
- Climate
- Relief (slope)
- Time (Speed of which the soil formed)
- Organisms (Bacteria)
The soil that is found in the Tropical grasslands is either Porous or Laterite and is acidic. The soil also only has a thin layer of humus. The layer of humus in soil is, basically, where all the nutrients come from. This means that it is a layer of rotting plants and decaying animals. The soil found here is also a red, rusty colour. This is because the soil contains a lot of iron.
The soils in the savannas are extremely infertile because, tragically, all the nutrients that the soil contains are located near the top. This means that the wet and dry seasons are the two main reasons that the soil is infertile. Even though, in the wet seasons the rainfall is hydrating the soil, the excessive amount of rainwater actually soaks up all the nutrients that are needed to help sustain plant life.
The soil also contains organisms that reduce the amount of plants grown each year. This means that the speed that the bacteria breaks down the plant matter is faster than the speed that the plants reproduce. This specific type of bacteria thrives in places that are above 25 degrees Celsius. This pest also is extremely well adapted to the climate as it grows rapidly in the long, dry seasons.
The soils in the savannas are extremely infertile because, tragically, all the nutrients that the soil contains are located near the top. This means that the wet and dry seasons are the two main reasons that the soil is infertile. Even though, in the wet seasons the rainfall is hydrating the soil, the excessive amount of rainwater actually soaks up all the nutrients that are needed to help sustain plant life.
The soil also contains organisms that reduce the amount of plants grown each year. This means that the speed that the bacteria breaks down the plant matter is faster than the speed that the plants reproduce. This specific type of bacteria thrives in places that are above 25 degrees Celsius. This pest also is extremely well adapted to the climate as it grows rapidly in the long, dry seasons.
This picture shows the small thin layers in the infertile soil found in the savannas.
To find out what plant life is able to survive in the harsh soil, click the button above!