What is a common characteristic of grasslands?

Grasslands are characterized by wide open spaces filled predominantly with grasses rather than trees or shrubs. This vegetation structure arises from factors such as climate, soil type, and grazing pressure, which all promote the growth of grass species rather than woody plants. Grasslands are typically found in areas where there is a significant seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation, which encourages the growth of herbaceous plants. The open landscape allows for the flourishing of a variety of grass species that can thrive in these conditions.

In contrast, high tree density is typical of forests, rich aquatic ecosystems are characteristic of wetlands or aquatic environments, and layered canopies are a feature of tropical rainforests. Each of these other environments has distinct features that differentiate them from grasslands, further emphasizing the unique and defining characteristic of grasslands being their wide open spaces dominated by grasses.