Skip to main content

Biodiversity and Water Relations in Tropical Savannas

  • Chapter
Biodiversity and Savanna Ecosystem Processes

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 121))

Abstract

The analysis of savanna biodiversity and the comparison of different savanna communities is difficult due to the scanty information that exists regarding several components of the biota such as microorganisms, non vascular plants, invertebrates, and even vertebrate animals. Fortunately, enough is known of the vascular flora of several savanna communities to allow some comparisons. Unfortunately, the information on the functional groups within the vascular flora from savannas is restricted to a few study sites. This chapter reviews the savanna floristic richness based on the known vascular flora; discusses several aspects of functional diversity, especially in terms of responses to water stress, and suggests some hypothesis regarding the role of PAM and other determinants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aristeguieta L (1966) Flórula de la Estación Biologica de Los Llanos. Bol Soc Venez Cienc Nat 110: 228–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Bate GC, Furniss PR, Pendle BG (1982) Water relations of Southern African savannas. In: Huntley BJ, Walker BH (eds) Ecology of tropical savannas. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York pp 336–358

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bourlière F (1978) La savane sahélienne de Fété-Olé, Sénégal. In: Lamotte M Bourlière F (eds) Problémes d’ecologie, ecosystèmes terrestres. Masson, Paris, pp 187–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Eiten G (1963) Habitat flora of Fazenda Campiniha, Sao Paulo, Brazil. In: Ferri MG (ed) Simpósio Sobre O. Cerrado. Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, pp 179–231

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1966) Reconociemiento Edafológico de los Llanos Orientales, Colombia. Tomo I II. La Vegetación Natural y la Ganadería en los Llanos Orientales. Fao, Roma

    Google Scholar 

  • Fournier A (1991) Phénologie, croissance et production végétales dans quelques savanes d’Afrique de l’Ouest. Variation Selon un Gradient Climatique. Orstom, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein G, Sarmiento G (1987) Water. Water relations of trees and grasses and their consequences for the structure of savanna vegetation. In: Walker BH (ed) Determinants of tropical savannas. IUBS Monogr Ser 3, IRL Press, Oxford, pp 13–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein G, Sarmiento G, Meinzer R (1986) Patrones diarios y estacionales en las relaciones hidricas de arboles siempreverdes de la sabana tropical. Acta Oecol, Oecol Plant 7: 107–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein G, Rada F, Canales J, Azocar A (1990) Relaciones hidricas e intercambio de gases en especies de sabanas americanas. In: Sarmiento G (ed) Las Sabanas Americanas. Aspectos de su biogeografia, ecologia y utilización. Fondo Editorial Acta Cient Venez, Caracas, pp 219–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodland R (1966) South American savannas. Comparative studies Llanos and Guyana. McGill Univ Savanna Res Ser 5: 1–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodland R (1970) Plants of the cerrado vegetation of Brazil. Phytologia 20: 57–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Heringer EP, Barroso GM, Rizzo JA, Rizzini CT (1977) A flora do cerrado. In: Ferri MG (ed) IV Simpósio sobre o Cerrado. Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, pp 211–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Joly CA (1991) Adaptaçôes de plantas de savanas e florestas neotropicais a inundaçâo. In: Sarmiento G (ed) Las Sabanas Americanas. Aspectos de su biogeografia, ecologia y utilización. Fondo Editorial Acta Cient Venez, Caracas, pp 243–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamotte M (1978) La savane préforestière de Lamto, Cote d’Ivoire. In: Bourlière F, Lamotte M (eds) Problémes d’ecologie, ecosystèmes terrestres. Masson, Paris, pp 231–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Medina E (1982) Physiological ecology of neotropical savanna plants. In: Huntley BJ, Walker

    Google Scholar 

  • BH (eds) Ecology of tropical savannas. Springer Berlin Heidelberg NewYork, pp 308–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Monasterio M, Sarmiento G (1976) Phenological strategies in species of seasonal savanna and semi-deciduous forest in the Venezuelan llanos. J Biogeogr 3: 325–355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramia M (1974) Plantas de las Sabanas Llaneras. Monte Avila, Caracas

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez WA (1971) Plantas dos campos do Rio Branco (Territorio de Roraima). In: Ferri MG (ed) III Simpósio sôbre o cerrado. Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, pp 180–193

    Google Scholar 

  • San José JJ, Medina E (1975) Effect of fire on organic matter production and water balance in a tropical savanna. In: Golley FB, Medina E (eds) Tropical ecological systems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 251–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarmiento G (1983a) The savannas of tropical America. In: Bourlière F (ed) Tropical savannas. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 245–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarmiento G (1983b) Patterns of specific and phenological diversity in the grass community of the Venezuelan tropical savannas. J Biogeogr 10: 373–391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarmiento G (1992) Adaptive strategies of perennial grasses in South American savannas. J Vegetat Sci 3: 325–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarmiento G, Acevedo D (1991) Dinamica del agua en el suelo, evaporación y transpiración en una pastura y un cultivo de maiz sobre un alfisol en los Llanos Occidentales de Venezuela. Ecotrópicos 4: 27–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarmiento G, Monasterio M (1969) Studies on the savanna vegetation of the Venezuelan Llanos. J Ecol 57: 579–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarmiento G, Monasterio M (1983) Life forms and phenology. In: Soudière F (ed) Tropical savannas. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 79–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva J, Ataroff M (1985) Phenology, seed crop and germination of coexisting grass species from a tropical savanna in western Venezuela. Acta Oecol Oecol Plant 6: 41–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarmiento G, Goldstein G, Meinzer F (1985) Adaptive strategies of woody species in neotropical savannas. Biol Rev 60: 315–355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva J, Sarmiento G (1976) La composition de las sabanas en Satinas en relación con las unidades edâficas. Acta Cient Venez 27: 68–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Solbrig OT (1991) Savanna modelling for global change. Biol Int Spec Issue 24:47, IUBS, Paris Toledo

    Google Scholar 

  • Toledo Rizzini C (1963) A flora do cerrado. In: Ferri MG (ed) Simpósio Sobre o Cerrado. Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, pp 125–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Donselaar J (1965) An ecological and phytogeographic study of northern Surinam savannas. Wentia 14: 1–163

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1996 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sarmiento, G. (1996). Biodiversity and Water Relations in Tropical Savannas. In: Solbrig, O.T., Medina, E., Silva, J.F. (eds) Biodiversity and Savanna Ecosystem Processes. Ecological Studies, vol 121. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78969-4_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78969-4_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-78971-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-78969-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics