Why do trees grow scattered in grasslands?

Plants, like all organisms are competitive for resources. Established trees are mostly able to outcompete smaller or emerging plants because their height and often wider girth are of great advantage in accessing sunlight for energy. read more

(Jungles and forests which are high in biodiversity, are examples of ecosystems that force trees to adapt to very specific niches and therefore grow in closer proximity to one another) In contrast, Australia's ecosystem has evolved to rely on the power of fire, eucalyptus trees have highly flammable oils in their leaves and many plants can quickly recover after a bush fire. read more

Then shrubs and small trees, which grow more slowly. As the trees and shrubs increase in size, they shadow other plants, which eventually vanish. Forest understory plants like ferns appear, plants specialized in surviving in partial shade. read more

Ancient forests declined and grasslands became widespread. Following the Pleistocene Ice Ages, grasslands expanded in range as hotter and drier climates prevailed worldwide. There are two main divisions of grasslands: (1) tropical grasslands, called savannas, and (2) temperate grasslands. Savanna Savanna is grassland with scattered individual trees. read more