Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Grasslands are major biomes characterized by vegetation domited by grasses.
They are classified based on climate, geographic location, and the presence of woody vegetation.
Step 2: Detailed Explation:
Let us alyze the distinct characteristics of each biome:
- Savans: These are tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems characterized by a continuous herbaceous grass cover with a canopy of sparsely scattered trees or bushes.
The canopy is open enough to allow sufficient light to reach the ground, supporting a dense grass layer, but trees are present individually or in small clusters.
These ecosystems are common in regions with distinct wet and dry seasons, such as parts of Africa, South America, and India.
- Prairies: These are temperate grasslands with deep, fertile soils, domited by tall grasses, and they are virtually devoid of trees.
- Steppes: These are semi-arid, temperate grasslands domited by short grasses, characterized by cold winters and warm summers, also lacking trees.
- Rangeland: This is a broad land-use term referring to open country used for grazing livestock, which can include grasslands, shrublands, and deserts.
Step 3: Fil Answer:
The tropical and sub-tropical grasslands characterized by scattered trees are called savans.
Hence, the correct option is (A).