A Journey Through The Savanna

To all the people who protect our fragile ecosystem

Additional thanks to Mrs. Cummings and Peyton Culp.

The Savannah ecosystem by Eleanor Newsome
Published 2023
Blue group publishing
No part of this book can be copied without the authors permission.
All the facts in this book are true and myths or false information if used in this book will be taken out.

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Hi! Hi! I'm Eleanor Newsome!I live in Dover, Delaware,but my dad is a lawyer in the air force, so we move around a lot.I was born in Eglin Air Force base, Florida,on April 26, 2012. I love Disney,Elephants,and the ocean.I have a mom,Lauren,a dad,Adam,three brothers named Henry,Oscar,and AJ.I also have a dog named Elvis.I hope you love savannas,because this book is all about them!

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Table Of Contents

All about the author/illustrator. Pages 3

Chapter 1.....Characteristics Of A Savannah Pages 5-6

Chapter 2......Producers Pages 7-8

Chapter 3.......Consumers Pages 9-11

Chapter 4....Decomposers Pages 12-13

Chapter 5....Energy Pyramid Pages 14

Chapter 6 ....Food Web Pages 15

Chapter 7.......Spheres Pages 16-17

Chapter 8......Savanna Threats Pages 18-19

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Chapter One

Climate

The savannah is hot all year round and only has two seasons. The wet season is humid and hot with heavy rain showers, while the dry season has very little water and experiences droughts. The wet season is called the monsoon season.

Geography

The savannah is near the equator. Savannas are located in Australia, South America,and Africa. The savannas are called savannas and grasslands.

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Plants

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There are many plants in the savanna,but there are so many that I could only fit so much,so here are a few:Lemon grass grows its longest when it is in the wet season.When it is in the dry season the Lemon grass preserves all the water it stored in the wet season.Like Lemongrass,Baobab trees store water in its gigantic trunk. If the producer is healthy the consumer is healthy.

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Animals

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There are a lot of animals on the savannah too!I mean a lot!Snakes,lizards,and Meerkats all live in underground homes such as burrows,while frogs,turtles,and crocodiles dig in the mus of rivers and lagoons.The underground animals use sharp claws to gig underground, while the water animals dig in the water for sea grass.

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Chapter Two

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You probably always think that plants are not important to an ecosystem.You might think that lions are the main thing.Well,sure they are important,but it all comes down to the producers.It starts off with the producers who grow every thing, than an animal eats them, and then, finally the lion eats the animal that ate the producer.I know its complicated,but it always comes down to the producers.

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Baobab Tree

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In the wet season,Baobab trees store water in their trunks and use it during the dry season when it rarely rains.The have a lot of nutrients,so here they are:antioxidants,potassium,magnesium,iron,zinc,calcium,and vitamin B.See I told you they have a lot.Remember when I said they store water in their trunks? Their leaves sure don't! The baobab trees let their leaves fall off to stop losing water. Greety!

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Shrubs

When it's sunny and bright, shrubs will capture the sunlight and convert it to energy.When there is water,shrubs use it for photosynthesis.Also like the baobab tree, they have lots of nutrients.Here they are:Nitrogen,potassium,calcium,zine,copper,magnesium, iron,sulfur,and boren.Here's a cool shrub adaptation for you!They have small leaves which limits the surface area that can be damaged by the sun and prevents water loss through evaporation.They also give back to the ecosystem! They have climate control soil stabilization. Cool right?!

Candelabra tree

And no, this is not really a candle holder if your wondering.This is a tree.The candelabra tree uses photosynthesis and gets energy from the sun and water.It has a soak and dry method to get water.It allows the soil to dry out completely between wet seasons.The Candelabra tree has a really awesome adaptation to protect itself against predators.They have a white sap that can be very poisonous and can blind an animal or human if it come in contact with their eye. The Candelabra tree also gives back to the ecosystem by saving rhinos,providing poison for hunting arrows, and supports many african animals.Now that you know all of that information, will you give plants a second chance?

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Chapter Three

Consumers are the animals that eat the producers or other consumers.You always think that the consumers are big meat eaters like the lion,but there also a lot of plant eaters out on the savanna.Care to look?

Giraffe

Ah, the giants of the savanna,the Giraffe.As you know,Giraffes are herbivores,which means they only eat plants.They get their energy and nutrients from leaves and buds on trees.Giraffes only drink water every few days.Where they call home is the wide open grasslands of the savanna.Some adaptations that help Giraffes get what they need from the environment are stretchy blood vessels and uniquely adapted valves.Some thing they do for the environment and other animals is that they can spot danger from far away, because of their long necks. When the Giraffes run,the other animals follow.See just being tough like a lion doesn't get you through life.

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Elephant

Elephants are herbivores,they only eat plants.They get all their energy and nutrients from fats,carbohydrates, and proteins.Elephants can drink lots of water,18 to 55 gallons a day!They get there water from watering holes,sometimes ones that are so old the Matriarch had been there.Elephants aren't picky on bed arrangements,because they travel so much,they just sleep standing up or laying down.Some adaptations an elephant has is giant ears,wrinkly skin,trunk,and tusk.Elephant give back to the ecosystem by making micro-ecosystems out of their footprints,which can be a home for tadpoles.I know,Elephants are awesome!

Lion

Lions are carnivores,which means they eat meat. Lions get their energy and nutrients from 15,000 kds of protein. Lions also need a lot of water,2.5 gallons of water a day.Lion usually live and sleep in layers and dens.Lions have some very useful adaptations like there brown coat that helps them blend in with the grass when there prey is near.Another helpful adaptation they have is sharp claws and strong paws to hold down there prey and grip it.Lions keep a healthy balance of the animals. They have a big appetite!

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Zebra

Zebras are herbivores,so they only eat plants,but they mostly eat grass, which is where they get their energy and nutrients from. They can drink up to one gallon of water at a time.Zebras have long skinny legs and hooved feet. When they eat all the grass,they make way for new grass to grow.Their distinctive coat pattern,white with black stripes,is very easy to spot among other animals. Did you know that no two zebras have the same pattern of stripes?

Ostriches

Ostriches surprisingly are omnivores,which means they eat meat and plants. Their energy and nutrients come from 24% fibre,12% protein,16% ash,and 3% lipids.They drink 4.5 liters of water a day.They like to have 60-80 square feet inside their houses.Ostriches have very long legs with strong muscles,think bones,and powerful two toed feet. I think they would make good soccer players!

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Chapter Four

Decomposers,like fungi and bacteria,not the ones who make music,break down(decompose)dead matter in soil.

Termites

Termites,who look a bit like ants,rate surrounding soil,allowing more water to make more energy. Their source of nutrients comes from cellulose. Termites live in big houses called termite mounds. Termites have a sharp mouth part that lets them eat wood or other wood products.There mounds also help the ecosystem because when termites move out,animals and bugs move in,and without taxes!

Fungi

Fungi,which are like mushrooms,get their energy from other organisms.What a slacker! They like cool fresh water. Fungi have a lot of nutrients, such as phosphorus,sulfur,potassium,magnesium,small quantities of iron,zinc,manganese,and copper. Fungi like to live in soil or dead matter.They can increase their surface area of their gills. Fungi break down dead matter, plant matter,and animal matter. What a job!

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