Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands are a land biome defined by the World Wide Fund for Nature. They occur in warm, semi-arid to semi-humid areas of the tropics and subtropics, and are mainly covered by grasses or shrubs. Within this biome, tropical grasslands lie near the equator (roughly 5–20 degrees north or south). Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees, while shrublands are dominated by shrubs. Much of the tropics does not get enough rain to support dense forests.
Rainfall is usually 90–150 cm per year and is often highly seasonal, sometimes arriving in a burst of rain in just a few weeks. Droughts are common. These biomes are found on all continents except Antarctica, with Africa having the richest savannas and grasslands.
Flora includes acacia and baobab trees. Acacias shed leaves in the dry season to save water, and baobabs store water in their trunks. The biodiversity, especially large mammals, is highest in Africa, notably East African Acacia savannas and Zambezian mosaics (miombo, mopane, and related habitats). Large migrations of herbivores like wildebeest and zebra have declined due to habitat change and hunting, and now occur mainly in East Africa and central Zambezian regions. Some migrations in the Sahelian and Guinean savannas have largely disappeared, though a few, such as Ugandan Kob in the Sudd, still happen.
The climate features a hot, wet season and a cool, dry season, with rainfall varying by latitude and drought being common. These biomes are widespread on every continent except Antarctica, especially in Africa, parts of South and Southeast Asia, northern South America, Australia, and the southern United States.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 13:24 (CET).