What is a savanna biome?

The savanna is a biome that sits between dense tropical forest and dry desert, characterised by expansive grasslands with widely spaced trees that do not form a closed canopy. It thrives in warm regions with distinct wet and dry seasons, where rainfall is enough to support grasses but too seasonal and limited for thick forest. Frequent fires and grazing by large herds help maintain the open landscape by keeping trees from taking over. The African savanna is the most famous, home to iconic wildlife such as lions, elephants, zebras, and vast herds of wildebeest. Savannas also occur in South America, Australia, and India, and cover a substantial share of Earth land surface.