The African savannas are some of the world’s major ecosystems, yet they’re in threat of severe degradation. Findings by researchers at the University of Edinburgh highlight the degree of human impact on the Miombo woodlands, which cover 2.5 million square kilometers across African countries including Angola, Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique.
Possible Offsets:
Interestingly, there are enough growing trees in remote areas of the woodlands that may be helping to offset the emissions. Still, areas gaining carbon while also losing it through degradation are occurring at alarming rates. This usually happens as a result of logging and fire needs, in which trees are removed.
Until now, scientists couldn’t measure these processes over large areas like a savanna because satellite imaging often cannot detect changing vegetation.
Researchers used radar satellite data to show that degradation releases around twice as much carbon as deforestation. This means that entire areas are cleared for commercial activities, and are typically close to major cities and roads.
Current Numbers Versus Beliefs on Carbon:
Carbon losses due to degradation and deforestation are three to six times higher than previously considered. The main cause of this degradation is to provide fuel for cooking and heating, mainly in the form of charcoal. Woodlands provide nearly 80% of the energy used in the region. The practice is typically unregulated, which facilitates over-harvesting.
As people live closer to cities, there will be an increase in carbon levels. This may also reflect a decline in the number of elephants and growths on plants because of high carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Carbon emissions continue to threaten our environment and surrounding species.
What are Savannas?
They are lands comprised of grasses and a few scattered trees. They cover half the surface of Africa, and can result from climate changes, soil conditions, animal behaviour, as well as agricultural processes. Humans create savannas by burning grasslands and chopping down trees for them to plant crops. Animals can also turn forests into savannas because they may knock down trees due to their size.
Climate is an important factor in savannas because they usually exist where there is a six to eight month wet summer season, and a four to six month dry winter season. The annual rainfall is from 10 to 30 inches a year. During the dry season, lightening can strike the ground and ignite dry grasees that cover the savannas.
Other Issues Plaguing Savannas:
Savannas are also plagued by other concerns including poaching, hunting, and overgrazing. Cattle grazing also limits the amount of food available for wildlife.
The bottom line is that savannas are important, despite the fact that they are a byproduct of our own practices. There are species dependent upon this habitat, and the nature that runs through them is crucial for the animals and their surrounding populations.
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