Several studies consider these savannas to be low cost areas for agricultural expansion, based simply on the fact that they are not forests. Fortunately, these savannas have decent farming potential. But that potential does not mean that farming them will have little environmental cost.
Is Africa’s savanna suitable for agriculture?
This is the vast, 700 million hectare belt of savannas (a varying mixture of trees, grasses, and shrubs) that encircle Africa’s equatorial rainforests, where annual rainfall is at least 640 mm. Several studies consider these savannas to be low cost areas for agricultural expansion, based simply on the fact that they are not forests.
What are the savannas and why are they important?
First and foremost, the savannas can help solve the climate change problem that’s caused an increase in temperature and erratic weather, resulting in disasters such as flooding and drought.
What is it like to live in Savannah?
In a larger city, you would expect to see overflowing trash cans and litter on the streets, yet Savannah is hardly the population colossus we would expect from places like New York City.
Why do we want to protect grasslands and savannahs?
We want to ensure that the value provided by neglected natural ecosystems like grasslands and savannahs is fully recognised. Ultimately ensuring they are a priority in conservation and development efforts, so that they and their benefits are safeguarded.
Is the savanna suitable for agriculture?
Given the area’s relatively high rainfall, the region has good potential for growing crops, especially maize and soybeans, which the World Bank cites as the optimal staple crops to grow in sub-Saharan Africa.
What are the benefits of the savanna?
Savanna’s are very beautiful and helpful,to protect and provide habitat for migratory birds,for endangered species,to support a natural diversity of plants and animals on refuge land,mind wind-swept grasslands,milkweeds,goldenrods and low shrubs such as blue berry,are very beautiful.
Does savannah have good soil?
Savanna grassland soils are not very fertile. The nutrients in the soil are found near the surface as they come from decayed organic matter (vegetation) from the previous growing season. This organic matter decays rapidly due to the high temperatures. Soils tend to be red in colour due to their high iron content.
Does the savannah have fertile soil?
The savannas are grasslands that have several months of dryness, followed by a rainy season. A majority of the soils in this area are Alfisols and Ultisols. These soils are very old and low in fertility, but since there is a dry season, more of the nutrients can stay in place.
What are some problems in the savanna?
PEOPLE AND THE SAVANNA: Some environmental concerns with savannas include poaching or hunting, overgrazing, and destruction of land for commercial crops. Many animals in the savanna, such as the rhinoceros and zebra, are endangered and threatened with extinction due to hunting, poaching, and habitat loss.
What kind of plants does the savanna have?
The savanna is covered by grasses such as Rhodes grass, red oats grass, star grass, lemon grass, and some shrubs.. There are various types of trees that will grow in particular areas of a savanna biome. They include pine trees, palm trees, and acacia trees..
What is savannah soil like?
The soil of the savanna is porous, with rapid drainage of water. It has only a thin layer of humus (the organic portion of the soil created by partial decomposition of plant or animal matter), which provides vegetation with nutrients. Savannas are sometimes classified as forests.
Does the savanna have high biodiversity?
Savannas are quite low in tree species diversity because of stringent ecological requirements but fairly high in diversity of herbaceous plants; it would be of great interest to compare the diversity of herbs of tropical savanna, temperate grassland, and arctic tundra.
Do savannas have acidic soil?
The forest soils had a pH range of 5.5 to 6.9. All other soils were more acidic, with a pH range of 4.0 to 5.5. The cation exchange capacity rarely exceeded 10 meq/100 g in the mineral soil of all pedons.
What are some fun facts about the savanna?
To celebrate, we wanted to share a few fun facts about African Savannas:Savannas can actually be found on most continents. … The Serengeti is full of diverse wildlife. … The Serengeti is also home to the largest animal migration. … It’s the Maasai ancestral land. … The first human remains were found here.More items…
Does the African savanna have sand?
The African Savanna is a thornbush savanna, which has many different kinds of plants such as acacia Senegal, candelabra tree, jackalberry tree, umbrella thorn acacia, whistling thorn, Bermuda grass, baobabs, and elephant grass. The Serengeti Plains are a grass savanna that has very dry but nutrient-rich volcanic sand.
What is savannah land?
savanna, also spelled savannah, vegetation type that grows under hot, seasonally dry climatic conditions and is characterized by an open tree canopy (i.e., scattered trees) above a continuous tall grass understory (the vegetation layer between the forest canopy and the ground).
Research tells a different story
Our recent research shows that this assumption of low environmental cost is not valid.
Lessons for Africa
Does our research mean Africa should avoid all agricultural expansion? No. But our findings have two main messages.
Looking ahead
If African countries adopt an approach that simultaneously considers the benefits and environmental costs of agriculture, they can mitigate many of its negative impacts. This would mean breaking from conventional development practice, but would make African countries leaders in sustainable agriculture. Can it be done?
Why are savannas important?
First and foremost, the savannas can help solve the climate change problem that’s caused an increase in temperature and erratic weather, resulting in disasters such as flooding and drought.
How many hectares of savanna land are there in Africa?
The African Development Bank has proposed developing the continent’s 400 million hectares of cultivatable savanna lands, but guest writers Sam Dindi and Esther Ngumbi explain the potential environmental impact. During the launch of the Transformation of the African Savannah Initiative, African Development Bank …
How many pastoralists depend on livestock?
In fact, approximately 240 million agro-pastoralists and 25 million pastoralists depend on livestock as their primary sources of income. Therefore, converting the grasslands into farmlands will directly impact some 240 million agro-pastoralists dependent on this ecosystem for their livelihood.
Who is the President of the African Savannah Initiative?
During the launch of the Transformation of the African Savannah Initiative, African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina proposed developing savanna lands where the soils are healthy and can support the cultivation of many crops, including corn and soybeans. The AfDB plans to start the initiative by converting approximately two …
What are the big five animals in Africa?
Fourthly, the savanna grasslands are home to Africa’s big five animals (buffalos, elephants, leopards, lions and rhinos) that attract the attention of tourists. Tourism is a key foreign exchange earner in Africa and a major contributor to Africa’s gross domestic production. In 2016, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Kenya’s GDP was …
Why are wet savannahs important?
As the global population rises, some scientists have suggested that Africa’s wet savannahs could be ideal for growing the extra crops needed to meet the growing demand for food and bioenergy.
What is the use of the Guinea Savannah?
Previous studies also suggested the Guinea Savannah could be used to grow biofuel crops. A biofuel is any form of energy derived from plants or animal waste. Crops such as long-lasting grasses can be fermented to create ethanol and then blended with petrol for use in cars, thus reducing the amount of fossil fuels used.
What is the wet savannah?
‘Wet savannah’ describes warm, tropical areas areas that are wet enough to support crops and aren’t covered with dense forest. Africa is home to around half of the world’s wet savannah. Much of it is found in the Guinea Savannah, which makes up around a third of sub-Saharan Africa.
What is the model used to estimate how much maize and soybeans could be grown on the Guinea Savannah?
The researchers used a crop simulation model to estimate how much maize and soybean could be potentially be grown on the Guinea Savannah. The model takes into account the soil and weather conditions, risk of failures, and how the crops are managed.
How many hectares of savanna are there in Africa?
To begin this initiative, the AfDB plans to convert approximately 2 million hectares of savanna into farmland in eight African countries: Ghana, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, and Mozambique. It will be used to cultivate maize and soybeans, and to keep livestock.
Who is the President of Africa’s Savannah Initiative?
To feed the increasing number of Africans who are poor, hungry and malnourished, during the launch of the Transformation of the African Savannah Initiative, the African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina proposed developing Africa’s 400 million hectares of cultivatable savanna lands.
How do grasslands help the ecosystem?
Savanna grasslands contribute to both mitigation and adaptation of climate change by preventing floods through slowing down the speed of surface run-off, enabling steady absorption of water by the soil, thus improving land ecosystem health and resilience. Savanna grasslands are a natural carbon sink, meaning they absorb …
How many pastoralists depend on livestock?
In this rangeland, livestock farming is practiced by many communities. In fact, approximately 240 million agro-pastoralists and 25 million pastoralists depend on livestock as their primary sources of income. Therefore, converting the grasslands into farmlands will directly impact some 240 million agro-pastoralists dependent on this ecosystem …
How does carbon accumulate in grasslands?
Carbon accumulation in grasslands occurs mainly below the ground where soil organic matter is located . Through cultivation of the over 400 million hectares of savanna grassland, the gigatons of carbon dioxide that have been stored by the savanna grasslands for millions of years will be released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Why is it important to leave grasslands intact?
Leaving the continent’s grasslands intact is good for the climate, for biodiversity and for the health of the soil. To feed the increasing number of Africans who are poor, hungry and malnourished, during the launch of the Transformation of the African Savannah Initiative, the African Development Bank …
What are the animals that live in the grasses in Africa?
The grasses growing in Africa’s savanna nurture an entire world of creatures including worms, insects, fungi and bacteria that in return feed and protect the plants. The grasses are home to an entire zoo.
What has the fertile soils provided by natural grasslands led to?
For centuries the fertile soils provided by natural grasslands have led to their unchecked conversion to croplands, and domestic livestock have replaced the vast herds of wild animals. Driven by an expanding global population, the transformation of our landscapes from valuable natural ecosystems to agriculture has intensified. …
How much of the world’s grasslands are protected?
In addition, less than 10% of our grasslands and savannahs are protected, and climate change compounds the impacts on these landscapes with many experiencing seasonal shifts, and some places like the Mongolian Steppe facing warming three times higher than the global average.
Why are ecosystems important?
These ecosystems are essential for climate mitigation – they store carbon, locking it deep in the soil and extensive root systems. They are the source of or support many of the world’s biggest rivers and wetlands, ensure food security, support livelihoods, and are embedded in the cultural identity of millions of people.
What are the richest ecosystems in the world?
Grasslands and Savannahs. Grasslands and savannahs represent some of the world’s richest and most diverse ecosystems. Grasslands and savannahs provide a home for a quarter of the world’s population and habitat for thousands of highly specialised plants and animals.
Why do people move to Savannah?
Well-known for its beauty, the reason many people make the move to Savannah in the first place is to enjoy the lovely surroundings. With towering trees draped in Spanish moss, a captivating view of the waterfront, and a touch of whimsy from a bygone era, it’s no wonder people fall immediately in love.
What is Savannah’s love of art?
A Love of the Arts. With so much history embedded in the town’s culture, it’s no wonder a love of the arts is deeply rooted in its soul. In addition to being home to the famed Savannah College of Art and Design, the city hosts a number of festivals and markets that regularly sell work from local artists.
Where did the savannah candy come from?
Initially brought over to New Orleans in the 1700s, they later made their way up to Georgia. Today, they are the most notable treat to find in Savannah, and rightfully so. Made with a succulent mix of chocolate, caramel, and pecans, this crunchy and sweet treat is perfect for a quick sugar rush.
