Difference Between Grassland and Savanna

Grassland vs Savanna
 

Grassland and savanna are biomes or ecosystems that are similar to each other. The word grassland is self explanatory in the sense that it describes a large landmass that receives insufficient rainfall to support vegetation full of shrubs and trees. However, there is rainfall enough to support growth of grasses so that the region does not become a desert. Savanna is also a grassland having some differences. There are many scattered trees, but they are not able to make a canopy. There are many more differences between a savanna and grassland, which will be highlighted in this article.

Savanna

This is grassland that is characterized by scattered trees that are not able to form a canopy. As there is no canopy, the surface gets sufficient light, and the area supports grasses. There are some experts who classify this grassland as grassy woodland because of the presence of wood in the form of scattered trees. There are regional differences in vegetation and there are some savannas that have a higher density of trees than some forests of the world. There are some who feel savannas lie in a continuum of forests and deserts. Africa is one continent that has the largest area classified as savanna in the world.

Grassland

Grasslands are large landmasses that are full of grass but surprisingly no trees. This is like a paradise for cattle rearing and in places with cattle rearing being one of subsistence activities; grasslands are no less than perfect. Grasslands are of two main types called savannas and temperate grasslands. While we have talked about savannas already, let us talk about temperate grasslands that are characterized by grasses of different types with no trees and only a few types of shrubs. The reason of no trees lies in the fact that temperate grasslands receive lesser rainfall and are drier.