Savannah woodlands, are characterized by a ground covered by grasses, with some trees interspersed. Savannahs are open canopied habitats, intermediate between grasslands and forests. In general, as available moisture increases in a terrestrial system, so too does the density and complexity of the vegetation. Little or no rain yields desert. A lot of rain yields rainforest. Intermediate prevailing rainfall amounts result in the formation of grasslands, savannahs, and other forests types.

Links to further information on Savannah Woodland

http://www.wildlifesafari.info/savanna_woodland_habitat.htm South Africa

http://www.nri.org/tsetse/Plan/savann.html more examples of African Savannah Woodlands and the tsetse fly

http://www.nmwild.org/wild/fl_woodland.htm Savannah Woodland in New Mexico, US

http://fsweb.wm.edu/ccb/habitat/hab/hab_sav_back.htm Pine Savannah in the Eastern US

Long-leaf Pine Savannah: Sandhills area in southern North Carolina

Long-leaf Pine savannah of the S.E. US as seen in Scotland County, North Carolina. Note the fairly open aspect of the forest. Sunlight is able to reach the ground layer of grasses, and pine straw through an open canopy.

This low-angle photo shows tufts of grasses in the foreground, the trunks of Long-leaf Pine trees, and the open canopy in the background.

Long-leaf Pine trees owe their name to the impressively long pine needles. They impart a brush-like appearance. This is a habitat that rings with the beautiful song of Bachman's Sparrow, the chattering of groups of Brown-headed Nuthatches, and the excited calls of the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.