Tropical Savannas Tropical Savannas Introduction. Instead, savannas develop in regions where the climax community should be some form of seasonal forest or woodland, but edaphic conditions or disturbances prevent the establishment of those species of trees associated with the climax community. The word savanna stems from an Amerind term for plains which became Hispanicized after the Spanish Conquest. Savannas are characterized by a continuous cover of perennial grasses, often 3 to 6 feet tall at maturity.
Distinction is made between tree or woodland savanna, park savanna, shrub savanna and grass savanna.
A tropical wet and dry climate predominates in areas covered by savanna growth. For at least five months of the year, during the dry season, less than 4 inches a month are received. The dry season is associated with the low sun period. Soils vary according to bedrock and edaphic conditions. In general, however, laterization is the dominant soil-forming process and low fertility oxisols can be expected.