| Serengeti volcanic grasslands | |
|---|---|
 Vultures inSerengeti National Park | |
 Map of Serengeti volcanic grasslands ecoregion | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Afrotropic |
| Biome | Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands |
| Geography | |
| Area | 17,900 km2 (6,900 sq mi) |
| Country | Tanzania |
| Coordinates | 3°00′S36°12′E / 3°S 36.2°E /-3; 36.2 |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | vulnerable |
TheSerengeti volcanic grasslands is atropical grasslandecoregion ofTanzania. The Serengeti volcanic grasslands are distinctive grasslands growing on deposits of volcanic ash in northern Tanzania. It includes the eastern portion ofSerengeti National Park and areas south and east of theNgorongoro Highlands.[1][2][3][4]
The Serengeti volcanic grasslands are anedaphic plant community that grows on soils derived from volcanic ash. The eruption of the now-extinctKerimasi volcano 150,000 years ago deposited huge amounts of fine whitish-grey ash. More recent eruptions of theOl Doinyo Lengai volcano deepened the ash deposits. These ash deposits hardened with time, creating layers of calcareous tuff and calcitic hard-pan soil.[5] The flat or slightly undulating plains are interrupted here and there by rockykopjes, outcrops of the underlyingPrecambrian rocks.[6]The terrain lies at a mean altitude of 1,438 metres (4,718 ft), rising to a maximum of 2,804 metres (9,199 ft).[3]
The climate of the ecoregion isOceanic climate, subtropical highland variety (Köppen climate classification(Cwb)). This climate has cool summers and cool, but not cold, winters. It is usually associated with coastal areas in mid-latitudes, but is also experienced at higher altitudes inland. Temperatures and precipitation are relatively even throughout the year, with no month averaging below 0 °C (32 °F), and no month averaging above 22 °C (72 °F).[7][8]
The terrain is 52% herbaceous vegetation including grasses, 26% low shrubs, 11% cultivated agricultural land, and the remainder is open woodland and wetlands.[3] Characteristic grass species includeAndropogon greenwayi,Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass),Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass),Digitaria macroblephara,Eragrostis tenuifolia (Elastic grass),Eustachys paspaloides (Fan grass),Microchloa kunthii (Kunth's smallgrass),Panicum coloratum (Coloured Guinea grass),Pennisetum mezianum,Pennisetum stramineum,Sporobolus ioclados (Pan dropseed), andThemeda triandra (Red grass).[9]
Approximately 86% of the ecoregion is under some form of protected area status, including: