Re: Savannah and Grassland
Harry Erwin (herwin@gmu.edu)
Sat, 14 Oct 1995 12:23:21 -0400
In article <45lbmh$frp@news1.delphi.com>, rcook@BIX.com (Rick Cook) wrote:
> Harry Erwin wrote:
> > Homo is the keystone because the alternative
> >source of fire (lightning- caused) is rare in temperate grassland and
> >unknown in tropical savannah.
> >
> There are other species which can be keystones for this process, notably
> browsers such as elephants. I understand that the elephants, giraffes and
> other browsers have a lot to do with maintaining the African veldt.
>
> --RC
Yes--the elephants in particular, but the savannah system becomes rapidly
overgrown with brush and trees unless it is regularly burned.
--
Harry Erwin
Internet: herwin@gmu.edu
Home Page: http://osf1.gmu.edu/~herwin (try again if necessary)
PhD student in comp neurosci: "Glitches happen" & "Meaning is emotional"
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