One main feature of trees in the savanna habitat is the possession of

Analyze the question: It asks for a main feature of trees in the savanna habitat. Think about what the savanna is like: a long dry season, frequent bush fires, and scattered trees among tall grasses.

Explain the concept: Savanna trees (e.g., locust bean, shea butter tree, African mahogany in the derived savanna) are adapted to survive fire and drought:

• Thick, corky bark insulates the living tissues beneath from bush fires and also reduces water loss.
• Small or reduced leaves (often shed in the dry season) reduce transpiration.
• Trees are usually short, scattered, and have wide, umbrella-like crowns, not tall and slender.

Step-by-step evaluation of the options:

• A. Large, leathery leaves: Large leaves lose too much water in the dry season. Savanna trees tend to have small or deciduous leaves. Wrong.
• B. Straight slender stems with branches near the top: This describes tall rainforest trees competing for light. Savanna trees are short and often have spreading branches. Wrong.
• C. Thin, smooth barks: Thin bark would offer no protection against fire. This is more typical of rainforest trees. Wrong.
• D. Thick, corky bark: Protects against frequent bush fires and helps conserve water. Correct.

Answer: The correct option is D. thick, corky bark.

Exam tip: Link the habitat to its main stress factor. Savanna means fire and drought, so think "thick bark, small leaves, deep roots". Rainforest means competition for light, so think "tall trunks, buttress roots, large thin leaves".