The vegetation type characterized by (i) a large expanse of grassland with scattered trees and shrubs, (ii) lying between tropical rain forest and tropical steppes and deserts and (iii) flat-topped trees, is called

The vegetation type described is the tropical savanna. It is characterized as a transitional biome situated between the humid tropical rainforests and the arid tropical deserts or steppes [5]. This biome features a large expanse of tall, coarse grasses interspersed with scattered trees and shrubs, often referred to as 'parkland' or 'bush veld' [3]. A defining morphological feature of savanna trees, such as the acacia, is their flat-topped or flat-crown shape [5]. These regions experience a distinct wet-dry climatic rhythm, where rainfall is insufficient to support dense forest cover but enough to prevent desertification [2]. The savanna is also known for its high diversity of large grazing mammals and is frequently shaped by annual fires [4].

Sources

1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 3. Tropical Savannah Biome > p. 10
2. [5] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Table 3.1 (Contd.) > p. 21
3. [2] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 17: The Savanna or Sudan Climate > Natural Vegetation > p. 167
4. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Tropical Monsoon Forests > p. 433
5. [4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/tropical-grasslands