Savannas & Grasslands
Open landscapes shaped by grass, fire and grazing herds.
Wide grasslands and tree-dotted savannas where rain arrives in seasons.
Overview
Savannas and grasslands cover vast open areas where there is not enough rain, or too much fire and grazing, for a closed forest. Tropical savannas have scattered trees and a long dry season; temperate grasslands such as prairies and steppes have cold winters. Grasses regrow quickly from their roots, so they recover from fire and grazing that would destroy other plants.
Climate
A rainy season and a long dry season in the tropics; hot summers and cold winters in temperate grasslands.
Where it is found
Africa, South America, northern Australia, and the prairies and steppes of North America and Eurasia.
Vegetation
Grasses dominate, with scattered drought-tolerant trees such as acacias and baobabs.
Living conditions
- Rain: Most rain falls in one season, followed by months of drought.
- Fire: Natural fires clear dead grass and stop forests from taking over.
- Grazing: Large herds and their movements shape the vegetation.
Key facts
- Seasonality: Distinct wet and dry seasons
- Precipitation: Roughly 500–1,300 mm a year (Tropical savannas)
- Fire: A natural, recurring part of the ecosystem
How the ecosystem works
- Migration: Herds move with the rains to find fresh grass.
- Ecosystem engineers: Elephants open up woodland and dig for water.
- Deep roots: Grasses store energy underground and regrow after fire.
Food web
- Producers
- Grasses, Baobab, Acacias
- Herbivores
- African elephant, Zebras & antelopes
- Predators
- Lions, Komodo dragon
- Decomposers
- Termites, Dung beetles
Biodiversity
Grasslands support some of the largest gatherings of large mammals on Earth, along with rich communities of insects, birds and grasses.
Threats
- Conversion to farmland — Grasslands are among the most converted habitats on Earth.
- Poaching — Illegal hunting targets elephants and other large animals.
- Changed fire patterns — Too much or too little fire shifts the balance of grass and trees.
- Drought — Longer droughts reduce grass and water for wildlife.
Conservation
Grasslands store carbon in their soils, feed migrating herds and support millions of people who raise livestock. Keeping them open, connected and well managed protects both wildlife and livelihoods.
- Protecting migration routes between parks.
- Working with herders to share land and water.
- Restoring natural fire and grazing patterns.