Which of the following best describes the characteristics of a savanna?

The characteristics of a savanna are best described by the option focusing on grasses and shrubs with small trees. Savannas are unique ecosystems that typically feature a mixture of open grasslands and scattered trees, allowing for both herbaceous and woody plant growth. This biome is characterized by a warm climate and a seasonal rainfall pattern, which supports the growth of grasses and occasional small trees rather than dense forest cover.

The presence of grasses is crucial, as they dominate the landscape, enabling various grazing herbivores to flourish, while the limited number of trees allows sunlight to reach the ground, promoting the growth of grasses. Additionally, the trees found in savannas are usually drought-resistant species adapted to the periodic fires that can occur, leading to a unique biodiversity that includes numerous animal species.

In contrast, the other options describe different ecosystems that do not align with the defining features of savannas: dense forests are indicative of a tropical rainforest biome; a cold biome with coniferous trees refers to boreal forests or taiga; and wetlands with stagnant water depict marshes or swamps, which are distinct from the open, grassy areas of savannas.