The Climate of the Rupununi Savannas
Abstract
The climate of the Rupununi savannas is closely examined with particular reference to the effects on moisture conditions of the wet and dry seasons. Two areas are selected where the forest savanna boundary might be climatically controlled. The first is the windward side of the Kanuku Mountains and the other the lee of the Pakaraima Mountains. At the foot of the Kanuku Mountains forest vegetation displays a tendency to extend onto the level savanna surface while savanna tends to extend into the mountains of the Pakaraimas. It was therefore anticipated that the first area would be wetter and the second area dryer than the open savanna. Although the former rainfall is only slightly greater, it is shown from a study of the water balance that the area has only half of the moisture deficit experienced by the savannas during the dry season. It is also demonstrated that in the lee of the Pakaraimas rainfall is so reduced that soil moisture recharge may only rarely be complete. In this instance the aridity is markedly greater than in the savannas. A similar situation seems to exist in the lee of the Kanuku Mountains but is not proved. It is concluded that the uncharacteristic location of the forest savanna boundary in both of these areas is largely due to the differences in the moisture regime caused by the changes in climate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0666616
Entities
People
- David B. Frost
Organizations
- McGill University