Density-dependent
One example of a density-dependent factor within the African Savanna is disease. Disease among animals is more likely to spread in larger populations because there are more animals to spread it around.
Another example of a density dependent factor within the African Savanna is food availability. There is generally going to be less food to go around in a large population, reducing reproduction rate because some animals may die off.
Another example of a density dependent factor within the African Savanna is food availability. There is generally going to be less food to go around in a large population, reducing reproduction rate because some animals may die off.
Density-independent
One example of a density-independent factor within the African Savanna is forest fires. The amount of animals around doesn't change the fact that it is happening.
Another example of a density-independent factor is any weather conditions. The weather is going to continue no matter how dense the area is.
Another example of a density-independent factor is any weather conditions. The weather is going to continue no matter how dense the area is.
What happened?
What would happen in the African Savanna if succession were to occur? Well, there are two different types: Primary and Secondary. Primary succession is when animals inhabit an area that has been previously empty, leading to change. Secondary succession is usually caused by a natural disturbance, like a forest fire or a flood.
We are going to assume the African Savanna had a large spread forest fire. This would bring about many problems, first of all being food limitation. With the vegetation in the area being burnt down, the plant eating animals will not be able to get the food they need. This just creates a chain, because later the bigger animals who eat meat will not be getting the food they need. There would be a smaller population. But those plants that do survive will most likely produce more offspring that may just happen to be resistant to fire. This will allow the animals to begin to populate more because their food supply would begin to rise again.
Ticks are always a nuisance, no matter the situation. Well, what if there were no birds to eat away the ticks? Lets say there is an increased amount of crocodiles in the area, and they like to eat birds. We see that the population of birds has decreased very quickly, and there is nothing that we can do about it. Those ticks we were talking about earlier? Yeah, they are probably really happy because this increase in crocodiles has caused the ticks to exhibit a J-shaped curve. Nothing can stop the population from growing, so it continues.
We are going to assume the African Savanna had a large spread forest fire. This would bring about many problems, first of all being food limitation. With the vegetation in the area being burnt down, the plant eating animals will not be able to get the food they need. This just creates a chain, because later the bigger animals who eat meat will not be getting the food they need. There would be a smaller population. But those plants that do survive will most likely produce more offspring that may just happen to be resistant to fire. This will allow the animals to begin to populate more because their food supply would begin to rise again.
Ticks are always a nuisance, no matter the situation. Well, what if there were no birds to eat away the ticks? Lets say there is an increased amount of crocodiles in the area, and they like to eat birds. We see that the population of birds has decreased very quickly, and there is nothing that we can do about it. Those ticks we were talking about earlier? Yeah, they are probably really happy because this increase in crocodiles has caused the ticks to exhibit a J-shaped curve. Nothing can stop the population from growing, so it continues.
Human Interaction
Human interaction in the African Savanna is not always a bad thing, if they are just watching. But there are some other things that tend to harm the plants and animals in the area. First things first, pollution. If a vehicle is being driven in the area it will pollute the air and possibly cause the animals to get sick, and the plants to die. The other big problem is hunting. There are people out there that think it is fun to hunt wild animals, like lions and giraffes. Although this is illegal, there are people that still find it to be an exhilarating sport.
Keystone species
A keystone species is crucial to the way the ecosystem works. It is important they are there because without them the area would be very different. There are a lot of things that could happen if these species were not there. It could introduce new species of plants and animals that could push out the ones that were already there. It would cause a ripple effect in most all circumstances.
A keystone species of the African Savanna is an elephant. You wouldn't think so at first glance but their eating habits have a big affect on the environment! They eat these trees called acacias that grow in the area. What the elephants do is knock them over to eat from them. With this behavior it keeps the trees from over populating and causing the savanna to become a forest. Elephants not only affect the type of area the savanna is, but it also affects the animals. With less trees, more grasses are able to grow for the grazing animals. We all know what grazing animals are good for...They are good food for the lions. Its just a big circle of life, like The Lion King.
A keystone species of the African Savanna is an elephant. You wouldn't think so at first glance but their eating habits have a big affect on the environment! They eat these trees called acacias that grow in the area. What the elephants do is knock them over to eat from them. With this behavior it keeps the trees from over populating and causing the savanna to become a forest. Elephants not only affect the type of area the savanna is, but it also affects the animals. With less trees, more grasses are able to grow for the grazing animals. We all know what grazing animals are good for...They are good food for the lions. Its just a big circle of life, like The Lion King.