SAVANNA

Figure 1: Worldwide distribution of savannas. also spelled savannah vegetation type that grows under hot, seasonally dry climatic conditions and is characterized by an open tree canopy (i.e., scattered trees) above a continuous tall grass understory. The largest areas of savanna are found in Africa, South America, Australia, India, the Myanmar-Thailand region, and Madagascar. Their distribution is shown in Figure 1. Jeremy M.B. Smith also spelled Savannah, any tropical or subtropical grassland characterized by scattered trees or shrubs, a pronounced dry season, and periodic brush fires. Savanna vegetation is found in Africa, South America, India, the Myanmar-Thailand region, Madagascar, and Australia. Savanna vegetation in South Africa is sometimes known as bushveld, or veld. In northern South America, savanna areas with waterlogged soil are known as llanos. African savanna grasses are either high grasses (1.5 to 4.5 m [5 to 15 feet] tall) or shortgrasses (30 cm [about 1 foot] tall). The trees in African savanna are usually thorny and small-leaved; many are species of acacia. Groups of trees such as palms or cactuslike Euphorbia species and single trees such as baobabs are also common. Large herds of grazing animals, which once were common to all savanna areas, are now found only in Africa. Predatory animals include large members of the cat family such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as the Cape hunting dog and various eagles and falcons. Ostriches and several species of vultures are other animals that are characteristic of the African savanna. Additional reading A wide assortment of issues relating to the global distribution and ecology of savannas are addressed in Franois Bourlire (ed.), Tropical Savannas (1983). E.M. Lind and M.E.S. Morrison, East African Vegetation (1974), discusses the range of savannas and related vegetation types in East Africa. Patricia A. Werner (ed.), Savanna Ecology and Management: Australian Perspectives and Intercontinental Comparisons (1991), deals with the functioning, maintenance, and management of savannas, focusing upon the region in which they remain most intact and undamaged by human activities. Jeremy M.B. Smith