Savannah grassland Case Study

When was the Serengeti National Park established?

1951

Where is it located?

Tanzania

How much of Tanzania is Savannah Grassland

15 000 km^2

What is the dominant vegetation in Serengeti

Grasses and Shrubs with some trees e.g. Acacia

What animals does it support

Grazing animals, e.g. zebra and their predators e.g. lions

Is it sparsely or densely populated

Densely populated with 250 people per square kilometer

What human factors impact the savannah

-Population increase (Quadruple since 1950)
-Agricultural intensification/Land use
-Economic development
-Poaching
-Climate change

What are the negative impacts of agricultural intesification

increased conflict between humans and animals
Around 20% of land in Serengeti used as grazing pastures
Biodivesity deceased, increases soil erosion

What are the negative impacts of poaching

60% of elephants have been lost since 2009

Describe economic development impacts on Savannah grasslands

-Forced changes in agriculture, damaging land
- 200,000 people visiting national park each year, cars polluting area, habitat loss from road formation.

Describe the climate change impacts on Savannah

-Increased soil erosion, desertification
-Less vegetation for animals

What are the evidence of poor management in the Serengeti?

-WMA are created to prevent poaching, but poaching still occurs in areas that are not protected
-Tourism disrupts wildlife

What are the evidence of effective management in the Serengeti?

Wildlife Management Areas
Conservation Education
Tourism

How do Wildlife management areas help conservation

-4 Wildlife Management Areas created (community-based conservation).
-e.g. Ikona Community WMA covers 450 km^2
-Managed by 5 villages
-Provide locals with food and income, reducing illegal poaching, poaching reduced to 0

How does Tourism help conservation

-200 000 visitors per year to safari
-50 dollars per adult
-money goes to national park to help pay for conservation projects
-boosts local economy
-increases ranger presence for tourism reduced poaching

who runs Serengeti national park

Tanzania National Parks Authority