Rangeland Ecology & Management

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The propagation of disturbance in savannas through food webs
Author
McNaughton, S J
Publisher
Journal of Vegetation Science
Publication Year
1992
Body

Savanna-grassland ecosystems are highly interactive due to effects among interconnected trophic elements. This can cause disturbance at one level in the trophic web to be propagated through that web to have effects far removed from the initial locus of disturbance. The reconstructed effects of rinderpest upon African savannas, acting directly upon susceptible grazers and browsers but in directly upon many other ecosystem components, are used as a case history illustrating the propagation of disturbance in savanna ecosystems.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Journal Volume
3
Journal Number
3
Journal Pages
301-314
Journal Name
Journal of Vegetation Science
Keywords
browsing
grazing
rinderpest
Serengeti
savanna
disturbance
disease
animal impact
ecosystem ecology
Africa