Plant Adaptions
The grasses in the savannah adapt to their surroundings by growing quickly when there is a sufficient amount of water. Then when there is a limited amount of water the grass turns brown to limit the loss of the water. This allows them to survive through the dry season. They also store food and water underground. This helps them survive fire. The fire restores the soil with nutrients.
The baobab tree adapts by growing leaves only in the wet season. When they grow they are on tiny groups. Since they are small it limits the water loss and allows them to survive until the wet season. Another way they adapt is their huge trunks ability to store large amounts of water.
The acacia tree adapts by its long roots that can reach deep into the ground and find a ground water source. Since the roots are so long it is also fire resistant. The acacia tree also has a chemical defense system. It is triggered when tall animals such as giraffes start to eat the leaves. When they start to eat the leaves a poisonous alkaloid that is bad tasting is transferred to the leaves. The giraffe does not get to eat much leaves before the other leaves start to get the alkaloid into them. After this happens the tree warns the other trees by spreading a chemical to the air. When the other trees feel it they spread the alkaloid to their leaves.
The Kangaroo Paw has adapted to its surroundings by having small woolly hairs that store drops of water. This can protect it from drought and heat. It has also adapted by having the hairs that do not taste well. This makes predators less likely to eat it. It’s adapted to the dry savanna so it doesn’t need as much water as different plants. Because of this it can also withstand the high temperatures of the biome.
The Candelabra tree has adapted to its surroundings by growing a spiky covering and having a poisonous sap which can blind the predator and give it burns. These adaptions protect it from any predators looking to eat it.