savanna woodland

grassland

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

Savanna woodland is a type of tropical or subtropical vegetation characterized by a continuous grass cover with scattered trees and shrubs forming a light canopy. These environments are typically found near the Equator and experience warm temperatures year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons.12

Savannas are transitional zones between rainforests and deserts. The balance between grasses and trees is influenced by factors such as rainfall, soil type, grazing intensity, and fire. Fire plays a crucial role in maintaining savannas by preventing dense woody growth and promoting the regeneration of certain plant species. Animals in savannas have adapted to seasonal food availability, with many migrating during the dry season.134

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

savanna
Environment
An alternative subdivision recognizes savanna woodland, with trees and shrubs forming a light canopy; tree savanna, with scattered trees and shrubs; shrub savanna, with scattered shrubs; and grass savanna, from which trees and shrubs are generally absent. Other classifications have also been suggested.
Read More
An alternative subdivision recognizes savanna woodland, with trees and shrubs forming a light canopy; tree savanna, with scattered trees and shrubs; shrub savanna, with scattered shrubs; and grass savanna, from which trees and shrubs are generally absent. Other classifications have also been suggested.
Read More