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Reflections on the Dynamics of Savanna Landscapes

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  • Kenneth R. Young

    (Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

Abstract

Savanna landscapes are shaped by the interactions of disturbances with land use goals. Elephant hunting in a site in Botswana, and its consequences for wildlife, people, and landscapes, are described and discussed in order to make broader generalizations about the dynamics of savanna landscapes. Change comes from alterations in tree-grass interactions, fire regimes, predator-prey relations, livestock raising, and conservation goals. Some of these implications are specific to African landscapes, but others may be apt in global contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Kenneth R. Young, 2023. "Reflections on the Dynamics of Savanna Landscapes," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:10:p:1857-:d:1250544
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mahesh Sankaran & Niall P. Hanan & Robert J. Scholes & Jayashree Ratnam & David J. Augustine & Brian S. Cade & Jacques Gignoux & Steven I. Higgins & Xavier Le Roux & Fulco Ludwig & Jonas Ardo & Feetha, 2005. "Determinants of woody cover in African savannas," Nature, Nature, vol. 438(7069), pages 846-849, December.
    2. Thure E. Cerling & Jonathan G. Wynn & Samuel A. Andanje & Michael I. Bird & David Kimutai Korir & Naomi E. Levin & William Mace & Anthony N. Macharia & Jay Quade & Christopher H. Remien, 2011. "Woody cover and hominin environments in the past 6 million years," Nature, Nature, vol. 476(7358), pages 51-56, August.
    3. Donald Kgathi & Barbara Ngwenya & Julie Wilk, 2007. "Shocks and rural livelihoods in the Okavango Delta, Botswana," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(2), pages 289-308.
    4. Kelley A. Crews & Kenneth R. Young, 2013. "Forefronting the Socio-Ecological in Savanna Landscapes through Their Spatial and Temporal Contingencies," Land, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Brian King & Jamie E. Shinn & Kelley A. Crews & Kenneth R. Young, 2016. "Fluid Waters and Rigid Livelihoods in the Okavango Delta of Botswana," Land, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-14, June.
    6. Aaron P. Ragsdale & Timothy D. Weaver & Elizabeth G. Atkinson & Eileen G. Hoal & Marlo Möller & Brenna M. Henn & Simon Gravel, 2023. "A weakly structured stem for human origins in Africa," Nature, Nature, vol. 617(7962), pages 755-763, May.
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