savanna

A savanna is a grassland ecosystem characterized by a continuous cover of grasses with scattered trees. It occurs in warm climates where seasonal rainfall supports grasses but does not sustain dense forests. Savannas are found in parts of Africa, South America, Australia, and southern Asia and include tropical and subtropical landscapes.

Savannas typically have a pronounced dry season and a shorter wet season, with annual rainfall ranging roughly from 300 to 1,500 millimeters depending on region. Fire and grazing by herbivores prevent tree dominance, maintaining the open canopy. Soils are often shallow or nutrient-poor, favoring grasses adapted to disturbance.

Flora includes grasses as the dominant vegetation, with scattered drought-tolerant trees and shrubs such as acacias and baobabs. Fauna is diverse and includes herbivores like wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, elephants, and large predators such as lions. Adaptations to fire and seasonal resource shifts are common in both plant and animal life.

Humans have long used savannas for grazing and pastoralism, and some areas support crops. Human activities such as overgrazing, deforestation, and land conversion threaten savanna ecosystems, along with climate change. Conservation and sustainable management rely on fire regimes, protected areas, and restoration efforts; notable savanna regions include the Serengeti and the Brazilian Cerrado.