Determinants of woody cover in African savannas

Mahesh Sankaran (), Niall P. Hanan, Robert J. Scholes, Jayashree Ratnam, David J. Augustine, Brian S. Cade, Jacques Gignoux, Steven I. Higgins, Xavier Le Roux, Fulco Ludwig, Jonas Ardo, Feetham Banyikwa, Andries Bronn, Gabriela Bucini, Kelly K. Caylor, Michael B. Coughenour, Alioune Diouf, Wellington Ekaya, Christie J. Feral, Edmund C. February, Peter G. H. Frost, Pierre Hiernaux, Halszka Hrabar, Kristine L. Metzger, Herbert H. T. Prins, Susan Ringrose, William Sea, Jörg Tews, Jeff Worden and Nick Zambatis
Additional contact information
Mahesh Sankaran: Colorado State University
Niall P. Hanan: Colorado State University
Robert J. Scholes: CSIR
Jayashree Ratnam: Colorado State University
David J. Augustine: Commanche National Grassland
Brian S. Cade: Fort Collins Science Center
Jacques Gignoux: UMR 7625 CNRS, Université de Paris 6 ENS
Steven I. Higgins: Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig Halle, Sekt Okosyst Anal
Xavier Le Roux: Université Lyon 1 USC INRA 1193, Bâtiment G. Mendel
Fulco Ludwig: CSIRO Plant Industry
Jonas Ardo: Lund University
Feetham Banyikwa: University of Dar es Salaam
Andries Bronn: Port Elizabeth Technikon
Gabriela Bucini: Colorado State University
Kelly K. Caylor: Princeton University
Michael B. Coughenour: Colorado State University
Alioune Diouf: Centre de Suivi Ecologique
Wellington Ekaya: University of Nairobi
Christie J. Feral: University of Virginia
Edmund C. February: University of Cape Town, University Private Bag
Peter G. H. Frost: University of Zimbabwe
Pierre Hiernaux: CESBIO
Halszka Hrabar: University of Pretoria
Kristine L. Metzger: University of Wisconsin
Herbert H. T. Prins: Wageningen University
Susan Ringrose: University of Botswana
William Sea: Colorado State University
Jörg Tews: University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry & Biology, Plant Ecology & Nature Conservation
Jeff Worden: Colorado State University
Nick Zambatis: Kruger National Park

Nature, 2005, vol. 438, issue 7069, 846-849

Abstract: Savannas on the verge Ecologists have long debated mechanisms by which trees and grasses are able to coexist in savanna ecosystems. Based on data from 854 sites in Africa, Sankaran et al. identify a distinction between savannas receiving less that 650 mm of rainfall annually and those receiving more. Below the 650-mm mark, water is the critical determinant of woody community structure. These savannas are stable, and here disturbances (such as fire and herbivory) and soil properties will modify woody cover, but are not necessary for tree and grass to coexist. Above 650 mm, disturbances are essential for the maintenance of a savanna.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature04070

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