savane

Savane, commonly rendered in English as savanna, is an open grassland ecosystem characterized by a continuous herbaceous layer with scattered trees or shrubs. It occurs in tropical and subtropical regions where seasonal rainfall is divided into a wet and a dry season, and fire and grazing help maintain the open structure.

Geographic distribution includes large parts of Africa (the Serengeti, Sahel and savanna belts), extensive areas of South America (such as the Cerrado and Llanos), and portions of Australia. In many areas mean annual rainfall ranges roughly from 400 to 1500 millimeters, with most rain in the wet season. Soils are often shallow and nutrient-poor, making nutrient cycling important for productivity.

Flora consists mainly of grasses with scattered trees and shrubs; fire-adapted and drought-tolerant species predominate. Notable trees include acacias and baobabs in Africa, while Australian savannas feature eucalypts or other open woodland species. Fauna includes large herbivores—gazelles, zebras, antelopes, elephants—predators, and a diverse array of birds, insects, and small mammals, many of which track resource pulses after rains.

Ecology and human use: Fire regimes, grazing pressure, and soil conditions regulate savanna structure and nutrient cycles. Humans utilize savannas for pastoralism, crop farming, and tourism. Widespread conversion to agriculture, overgrazing, and climate change threaten extent and biodiversity. Conservation efforts focus on protected areas, sustainable grazing, fire management, and restoration of degraded landscapes.

Note on terminology: the term savane is the French form of savanna; in English, both savanna and savannah are used.