A distinguishing, co-dominance feature of trees and grasses in Savannas was prominently explained by Walter. He hypothesized that water is the limiting factor and grasses are superior competitors for water in the upper soil, while trees have exclusive access at deeper layers. However, a new field evidence from the Kalahari, where the water table is too low for the tree roots' tapping, revealed that both plant types invest the bulk of their roots in the surface horizons. Further investigation should consider focusing on determining the co-dominance mechanism of both plant types without the displacement of the less-efficient species.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.