4.+Abiotic+Factors

Abiotic Factors

An **abiotic factor** is a non-living, physical component that affects the environment.
 * Weather ** : As the Serengeti is located along the equator; the weather is warm and dry. Average annual temperature ranges from 59 ° C to 77 ° C. On average, 20 inches of rain falls on the plains. The cooler season is from June to October. The rainy season lasts from early March to May.
 * Soil: ** Soil in the savanna is red due to the large amounts of iron. It is usually dry and dusty. Savanna soil is not nutrient-rich because the long dry season does not allow detritus to break down completely. Towards the eastern end of the park, there are wooded grasslands due to the nutritious volcanic soil from nearby volcanoes that is unique to the rest of the park.
 * Altitude: ** The park actually sits on a plateau in the Ngorongoro highlands of northern Tanzania. The elevation of the park 3000 to 6000 feet.