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Savannas are characterized by an open canopy that prevents canopy closure and allows continuous grass-dominated ground cover.
A savanna (or savannah) is a mixed woodland–grassland ecosystem (grassy woodland) defined primarily by an open canopy: trees are spaced widely enough that the canopy does not close. This openness lets sufficient sunlight reach the ground, supporting an unbroken herbaceous layer dominated mainly by grasses. Savannas can occur even where tree density is relatively high, and the common idea of “widely scattered” trees is not always accurate—many savannas have higher and more regular tree spacing than forests. They are also typically shaped by seasonal water availability (most rainfall concentrated in one season) and are often transitional between forest and desert or grassland. Four structural forms are recognized: savanna woodland (light canopy of trees and shrubs), tree savanna (scattered trees and shrubs), shrub savanna (distributed shrubs), and grass savanna (trees and shrubs mostly absent).
Savannas are characterized by an open canopy that prevents canopy closure and allows continuous grass-dominated ground cover.
Savanna tree spacing/density can be higher and more regular than in forests, so “scattered trees” is not a universal rule.
Savanna structure is commonly linked to seasonal rainfall and frequent fire regimes.
Savanna structure is commonly classified into four forms: savanna woodland, tree savanna, shrub savanna, and grass savanna.
A tree cover condition where crowns do not interlink and the canopy remains sufficiently open for light to reach the ground.
The ground-level plant layer in savannas, primarily grasses, sustained by sunlight reaching the soil surface.
A savanna form where trees and shrubs form a light, non-closed canopy.
A savanna form with scattered trees and shrubs and an open canopy.
A savanna form dominated by distributed shrubs rather than trees.
A savanna form where trees and shrubs are mostly absent, leaving grass as the dominant vegetation.
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