Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands

The Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands is a tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrublands ecoregion located in the Indomalaya biogeographic realm, covering South and Southeast Asia, extending from the Indian subcontinent to southern China, spanning approximately 34,524 km². Classified under the WWF ecoregion code IM0701, this region represents a distinct ecological community shaped by its unique combination of climate, geography, and evolutionary history.

Climate and Vegetation

This ecoregion experiences warm year-round with seasonal rainfall and a distinct dry period. The dominant vegetation consists of grasses interspersed with scattered trees and shrubs. These conditions create the foundation for the ecological communities found within the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands.

Ecological Significance

Savannas support some of the most iconic large mammal assemblages on Earth, including herds of grazers and their predators. Fire and herbivory maintain the open grassland structure. The Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands contributes to the broader biodiversity patterns of the Indomalaya realm.

Geographic Distribution

The Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands extends across Bhutan and Nepal. This geographic range places it within the Indomalaya realm, one of the eight major biogeographic divisions of the world.

Notable Species

The Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands supports a range of wildlife, including African bristlegrass (Setaria sphacelata), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), American carpet grass (Axonopus compressus), Antelope Grass (Echinochloa pyramidalis), Arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia), Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus), Asian marshweed (Limnophila sessiliflora), Awnless Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa colonum), and 42 more species.

Conservation

Like many tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrublands ecosystems, the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands faces threats from overgrazing, agricultural conversion, fire suppression, and desertification. Conservation efforts in this ecoregion focus on habitat preservation, sustainable land management, and protecting corridors that connect fragmented habitat patches.