Author(s)

Florian Jeltsch, Gerhard E. Weber, W.R.J. Dean & S.J. Milton

Abstract

Savannas are not only subject to intense, recurrent human-generated disturbances of major extent. Also natural disturbances are common: savannas typically occur in regions where the climate is characterized by spatial and temporal variability, with precipitation varying drastically in space and time. In addition to the resulting climatic extremes, recurrent grass fires and large herbivores often cause major disturbances. Some large scale disturbances, such as drought, grass fires and grazing are considered to be driving forces in savanna ecosystems. These factors are also hypothesized to allow for a long-term coexistence of trees and

Keywords