African savanna

African savannas are tropical ecosystems where grasses dominate alongside scattered trees or shrubs. They range from open grasslands to woodlands and are shaped by seasonal rainfall, fire, and herbivory.

Tropical seasonal climate: A climate pattern with warm temperatures year-round and distinct wet and dry seasons. Its alternating wet and dry periods govern plant growth and water stress across the savanna.
Serengeti: An ecosystem in northern Tanzania and southwestern Kenya, known for extensive grasslands and migrating wildlife. Its seasonal rains sustain one of the continent’s largest migrations of grazing mammals.
Tropical grassland: A warm-region ecosystem dominated by grasses, with few or scattered trees and seasonal rainfall. African savanna is a major regional expression of tropical grassland.
Land-use change: The conversion or alteration of land for uses such as farming, settlement, or livestock production. Cultivation and settlement fragment savanna habitats and reduce room for wildlife movement.
Savanna fire: The recurring burning of savanna vegetation, caused by lightning or people. Fire suppresses many woody seedlings while grasses regrow quickly after burns.
Mara River: A river flowing through Kenya and Tanzania, crossing the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem. Its crossings are a well-known bottleneck during the annual wildebeest migration.
Ecotone: A transition zone between neighboring ecological communities or ecosystems. Savanna boundaries often grade into deserts, forests, or other grasslands rather than forming sharp lines.
Overgrazing: Grazing that removes vegetation faster than it can recover. Excessive livestock pressure can reduce grass cover and expose soil to erosion.
Herbivory: The consumption of plant material by animals. Grazers remove grasses and browsers feed on woody plants, changing competition between them.
Okavango Delta: An inland delta in Botswana where the Okavango River spreads into the Kalahari Basin. Seasonal flooding creates a wetland mosaic within the surrounding dry savanna.

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