Savanna

Lindsay B. Hutley, Samantha A. Setterfield

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Savannas are characterized by the coexistence of trees and grasses and occur largely in the seasonal tropics between the equatorial rainforests and mid-latitude desert ecosystems. This article describes the defining elements of the savanna biome and documents global savanna distribution and relationships with climate. It examines the influence of the four dominant environmental factors that determine savanna structure and function; available moisture and nutrients, fire occurrence and impacts from herbivory, and the interactions between these environmental determinants. Savannas can be considered as a metastable mixture of trees and grasses and theories advanced to explain the stability, or otherwise, of this coexistence are discussed. Current issues in savanna management and threats to long-term sustainability are also described.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Ecology
Subtitle of host publicationVolume 1-4, Second Edition
PublisherElsevier
Pages623-633
Number of pages11
Volume2
Edition2
ISBN (Electronic)9780444637680, 9780444641304
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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