Grassland - Definition and Overview

An Inner Mongolia Grassland.

Grassland is one of several types of terrestrial biomes, where grasses form the predominant vegetation, usually mixed with herbs and sometimes with shrubs, but usually without trees. Grassland dotted with trees is called Savanna.

Tropical and subtropical grasslands are classified with tropical and subtropical savannas and shrublands as the tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome. Notable tropical and subtropical grasslands include the Llanos grasslands of northern South America.

Temperate grasslands are mid-latitude grasslands, including the Prairie of North America, the Pampa of Argentina, and the steppes of Eurasia. They are classified with temperate savannas and shrublands as the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome.

Flooded grasslands are grasslands that are flooded seasonally or year-round, like the Everglades of Florida or the pantanal of Bolivia and Paraguay. They are classified with flooded savannas as the flooded grasslands and savannas biome, which occurs mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Montane grasslands are high-altitude grasslands located on high mountain ranges around the world. They are part of the montane grasslands and shrublands biome.