Savannas of the world

In short: Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees in transitional climate zones between rainforest and desert. They are characterised by distinct dry and rainy seasons and host rich wildlife.

In more detail: The largest savannas are in Africa, but there are also extensive savanna regions in South America, Australia, and Asia.

In detail

• Climate pattern: A multi-month dry season alternates with a rainy season that drives plant growth.
• Vegetation: Grasses dominate; individual tree species such as acacias are adapted to drought and fire.
• Fire ecology: Regular natural or deliberate fires maintain the typical savanna structure and prevent forest encroachment.
• Wildlife: Large herbivores such as elephants, zebras, and wildebeest, along with their predators, define African savannas.
• Migrations: Large herds follow the rain and fresh grass seasonally, as seen in the Great Migration in East Africa.
• Human impact: Overgrazing and conversion to farmland threaten many savanna ecosystems.
• Importance: Savannas store significant amounts of carbon and are relevant to the global carbon cycle (regenwald-und-seine-bedeutung, wuesten-und-wuestenbildung).