Glossary

savanna

Type of grassland ecosystem characterised by any trees present being spaced in such a way that they do not form a closed canopy, thus sufficient light reaches the ground to support unbroken herbaceous cover consisting primarily of grasses.

Also spelled 'savannah'.

Acacia savanna in Burkina Faso © Marco Schmidt

'Cerrada' savanna in Minas Gerais state, Brazil © Denis A. C. Conrado

Used in 10 species profiles

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Related terms

Dahomey Gap
Dry corridor of savanna interrupting the West African rain forest and separating it into two parts known as the western Guinea and Central African Congo zones and reaching the Atlantic coast in Togo and Benin. Due to the separation, the resident flora and fauna of the Guinea and Congo zones differs to a significant extent. In terms of climate the gap has been wetter a number of times through history and has existed in its current state for around 4000 years.
ecosystem
A biological community comprising interacting organisms plus their physical environment.
morichal
Type of lowland stream found in South American savannas with riparian forest dominated by the moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa). Often subject to seasonal flooding.

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