woodlandsavanna

Woodlandsavanna is a mosaic ecosystem that blends attributes of woodlands and savannas. It features a patchy to open tree canopy overlaying a continuous grassy layer, with woody cover less dense than in forests but more extensive than in open grasslands. Fire, herbivory, and seasonal rainfall drive the balance between woody regeneration and grasses.

The landscape occurs in tropical and subtropical regions where climate supports episodic fires and a pronounced dry season. It is found in parts of Africa, South America, and Australia, where distinct regional variants exist such as Miombo woodlands in southern Africa, and savanna-woodland transitions in the Cerrado and in northern Australian woodlands.

Flora and fauna: The tree layer includes deciduous or semi-deciduous species adapted to fire and drought; the ground layer supports grasses and forbs that provide food for herbivores and birds. Faunal communities are diverse, including large herbivores, predators, birds, and insects; fire and grazing regimes shape composition and structure.

Human use and conservation: Woodlandsavannas are used for pastoralism, grazing, and some cropping in marginal lands. They are vulnerable to conversion to dense plantations or croplands and to altered fire regimes. Conservation approaches emphasize maintaining fire regimes, habitat connectivity, and sustainable grazing; protected areas preserve representative variants.