Landscape and Vegetation in Serengeti - Tanzania

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Savannah Vegetation & Fires

Indeed, your perception is correct: Serengeti National Park predominantly consists of savannah landscape. This includes grasslands, plains, kopjes (or koppies), marshes, and woodlands. The term savannah refers to semi-arid land, encompassing everything from woodlands to open grasslands, and all combinations of trees and grasses in between. Savannahs cover approximately one-quarter of the world’s surface and can support a higher density of animals than any other land type. A hallmark of savannahs is their susceptibility to wildfires. Savannahs occasionally burn unless grazed down by animals or in temperate savannahs like tampas or steppes. With frequent fires and the capacity to sustain vast numbers of animals, savannahs are dynamic landscapes that can change rapidly.

Serengeti Plains

The renowned Serengeti plains span the southern third of the national park, playing a crucial role in the annual Great Migration. The migratory herds journey south to the plains following the rains after spending the dry season in the wetter northern Serengeti.

During the wet season, the shallow soil and millions of ungulates transform the plains into a highly productive growth zone. With abundant food, female wildebeests give birth and nurse their calves. Predators take advantage of this bounty, thriving in the wet season’s abundance of young animals. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas enjoy a feast of endless prey. As the dry season nears, seasonal waterholes evaporate, and the grass turns from green to yellow, then golden. This signals the wildebeest to begin their annual northward migration. Grant’s gazelle, warthog, and ostrich remain, feeding on the dry grasses. Only species that can endure long periods without water can survive on the plains during the dry season.

The Serengeti plains encompass three distinct grassland types. The first is the short-grass plains, located around Ngorongoro and extending into Serengeti National Park. These plains never burn as the massive herds consume most of the grasses, leaving little to fuel fires. The second type is the intermediate-grass plains, forming a crescent shape west and north of the short-grass plains. The third type is the long-grass plains, found in the northern Serengeti and around Seronera.

The shallow hardpan beneath the plains’ surface captures rainwater, sustaining dense grass growth. The vast numbers of grazing animals in Serengeti National Park mean that during the rainy season, most grasses are grazed repeatedly. If grazed short, the grass quickly regrows, offering higher nutrients and water content upon regrowth. By trimming the grass short, and through the subsequent regrowth process, the animals create a prime quality grazing lawn. Some grasses have adapted to intense grazing by growing horizontally along the ground, minimizing their exposure to herbivores.

Why Are There No Trees on the Plains?

During the Pleistocene era, approximately 3 million years ago, volcanic ash from the Ngorongoro highlands blanketed the plains, forming a calcareous hardpan less than a meter below the soil surface. This hardpan is impenetrable to roots, and the shallow soil dries out quickly, making it impossible for trees to grow.

Woodlands

Woodlands are less dense than forests. A significant amount of grass grows between the trees, making woodlands susceptible to seasonal bush fires. Large grassland meadows, known as ‘mbugas’ in Kiswahili, are often dotted with grazing animals. Resident species such as buffalo, elephant, topi, giraffe, warthog, and impala are commonly found in woodland areas.

There are three main types of woodlands in the Serengeti. Velvet bushwillow (Terminalia mollis) woodlands are found in the north-west of Serengeti National Park, the park’s rainiest section, characterized by large, old trees.

Vachellia (acacia) woodlands are located in the central and western parts of Serengeti National Park, with 38 recorded Vachellia species. Of these, ten species constitute more than half of the woodlands, with Vachellia Robusta being the most common. It grows on slopes and hilltops, identifiable by its dark, rough bark and feathery leaves.

Commiphora woodlands are found in the east of Serengeti National Park, where rainfall is scarce. These woodlands are a mix of Vachellia and Commiphora species, with Commiphora being less fire-resistant than their Vachellia counterparts.

Riverine Forests

Riverine forests are a rare habitat within Serengeti National Park. Large rivers, although dry for much of the year, flow and flood during the wet season. Even in the dry season, the water table remains higher along the rivers. These areas, rich in water, allow dense forests of broad-leaved evergreen trees to thrive. The riverine trees alter the environment beneath them, creating an ideal habitat for other plants, insects, birds, and animals.

Beneath the riverine trees’ canopy, the deep shade keeps the soil and air moist. The forest floor is carpeted with shade-loving plants, while the trees themselves are adorned with epiphytic plants, including orchids and creeping vines. Fires cannot penetrate deeply into these forests.