RAS question
The 'Savanna' grasslands of Africa are also known as:
Correct answer: (D) Tropical Grasslands/Bushveld.
The Savanna grasslands of Africa are tropical grasslands, and in the southern African context their intermediate woody-grass stages are locally known as Bushveld.
Explanation
African savannas are best understood as tropical grasslands: open grass-dominated landscapes with scattered trees, lying between equatorial forests and deserts. They cover almost 65% of Africa and support well-known wildlife migrations, which fits the idea of a broad tropical grassland belt rather than a temperate grassland type. SANBI PlantZAfrica describes the Savanna Biome as having a grassy ground layer and a distinct upper layer of woody plants. Where the woody layer is intermediate, these stages are locally known as Bushveld. That is why Tropical Grasslands/Bushveld is the correct match for African Savanna.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Pampas refers to the grasslands of South America, so it does not name Africa's Savanna grasslands.
- (B) Prairies are the temperate grasslands of North America, whereas the African Savanna is a tropical grassland with scattered trees.
- (C) Steppes are associated with Central Asia, not with the tropical African grassland belt described as Savanna or Bushveld.
Concept
This tests the world geography concept of regional names for major grassland biomes. RAS repeats such terms because they connect climate, vegetation structure and continental location in one quick fact.