Test: The Savanna or Sudan Climate - UPSC MCQ

Deterioration of soil fertility in the savanna climate is caused by torrential downpours of heavy rain, intense heating and evaporation, and overgrazing by animals. Excessive snowfall is not a factor in this region.

The main problem with soil fertility in the savanna climate is leaching and drainage of soil nutrients due to the distinct wet and dry periods. This can lead to poor laterite soils.

Some tribes in the savanna region live as cattle pastoralists, like the Masai of East African Plateau, while others live as settled cultivators, like the Housa of Nigeria.

Cotton is a plantation crop grown in the savanna climate. Other plantation crops include tobacco, sugarcane, coffee, groundnuts, oil palms, and tropical fruits.

Common food crops grown in the savanna climate include maize, millet, corn, bananas, beans, and groundnuts. Rice is not typically grown in this climate.

The soil of tropical grasslands is porous, with rapid drainage of water. It has a thin layer of humus and is laterite in nature.

The savanna, particularly in Africa, is known as the "Big game country" due to its diverse variety of wild animals. Many animal films are taken in this region.

As rainfall diminishes towards the deserts, the savanna climate merges into thorny scrubs.

In West Africa, the Harmattan wind blows from the Sahara Desert and reaches the Guinea coast. It is a dry, dust-laden wind that can ruin crops and sometimes cause fires.

The prevailing winds of the savanna region are the trade winds, which bring rain to the eastern coastal districts. These winds are strongest in summers.

Both the length of the rainy season and annual total rainfall decreases from the equatorial region to polewards in the savanna climate.

Savanna landscape is generally characterized by tall grass (6-8 feet) and short trees. The vegetation is adapted to the alternate wet and dry seasons of the climate.

The savanna climate has a temperature range of 18-30°C. In winters, it is usually about 18-25°C, and in summers, the temperature ranges from 25-30°C.

The Sudan climate is best developed in Sudan, where dry and wet climates are most distinct. This is why it is named after this region.

The Savanna or Sudan climate is a transitional type of climate found between the equatorial forests and trade wind hot deserts. It is characterized by an alternate and distinct hot, rainy season and cool, dry season.