The importance of large trees for grazing ungulates in African savannas
Final Report Abstract
These studies have highlighted how important an understanding of tree-grass-grazer relationship is for savanna ecosystems. Our findings can now allow predictions of deteriorating grass quality and shifts in grazer species assemblages with declining tree cover. Climate change, leading to increased drought frequencies and higher temperatures might make tree shade and microclimate become even more important for grazers in areas of water stress. African savannas represent areas faced with an increasing pressure as they exhibit a high primary production potential but are highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human interventions. Because these grasslands are intensively used by a variety of herbivores, they give an example of how quickly ecosystem services can be altered by human impact or climate change. Hence, we can learn from information about these systems how sensitive fauna and flora react to various impact scenarios. We plan to continue studies in this field in order to find general patterns of tree- and grass interactions with their associated grazer species populations.
Publications
- (2005). The importance of large trees for grazing ungulates in African savannas. Seminar Resource Ecology, Wageningen, Netherlands
Treydte, A.C.
- (2006). Are trees important for grazing wildlife? Large trees improve grass quality in African savannas. 36th Annual GfÖ Conference, Bremen, Germany
Treydte, A.C., Heitkoenig, I.M.A., Ludwig, F.
- (2006). Are trees important for grazing wildlife? Large trees improving grass quality in African savannas. Proceedings of the 20th Society of Conservation Biology Meeting, San Jose, CA, USA
Treydte, A.C., Ludwig, F., Heitkönig, I.M.A.
- (2006). Can trees improve grass quality and therefore attract grazing wildlife? A study on the sub-canopy herbaceous vegetation in eastern and southern African savannas. Progress report, SANPARKS, Scientific Services KNP, Skukuza, South Africa, pp. 5
Treydte, A.C.
- (2006). Do trees improve grass quality in African savannas? Seminar Resource Ecology, Wageningen, Netherlands
Treydte, A.C.
- (2006). On protected areas and animals: How humans can influence tropical ecosystems. Mini-Symposium, Geography Department, University of Basel, Switzerland
Treydte, A.C.
- (2006). Trees - their importance for the savanna biome. School of Natural Resources and Tourism, Polytech Windhoek, Namibia
Treydte, A.C.
- (2007) Is a tree to be? Large trees enhancing sub-canopy grass quality in African savannas. Proceedings of the 20th German Society of Tropical Ecology Meeting, Bonn, Germany
Treydte, A.C., Looringh van Beeck, F., Heitkönig, I.M.A., Prins, H.H.T., Ludwig, F.
- (2007). Do trees really matter? Insights into sub-canopy grass quality in African savannas. Proceedings of the 5th Kruger Park Networking Meeting, Skukuza, South Africa
Treydte, A.C., Heitkönig, I.M.A., Prins, H.H.T., Ludwig, F.
- (2007). Does a grazer need trees? The attractiveness of belowcrown grasses in African savannas. Proceedings of the Etosha Centennial Symposium, Etosha, Namibia
Treydte, A.C., Looringh van Beeck, F., Heitkönig, I.M.A, Prins, H.H.T., Ludwig, F.
- (2007). Human impact on tropical ecosystems: should we or should we not intervene? Proceedings of the 21th Society of Conservation Biology Meeting, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Treydte, A.C.
- (2007). Tree crowns can save savanna grazers! Why below-crown grasses are so attractive for grazers. Proceedings of the 37th German Ecological Society Meeting, Marburg, Germany
Treydte, A.C., Heitkönig, I.M.A., Prins, H.H.T.
- (2007). Trees enhance grass layer quality in African savannas of distinct rainfall and soil fertility. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 8: 197-205
Treydte, A.C., Heitkönig, I.M.A., Prins, H.H.T., Ludwig, F.
- (2007). Will a decline in large tree cover lead to shifts in grass quality, structural diversity, and in associated grazer species composition in African savannas? Oberseminar Plant Ecology, University of Potsdam, Germany
Treydte, A.C.
