A continental-scale analysis of tree cover in African savannas英文版.pdf

Global Ecology and Biogeography, (Global Ecol. Biogeogr.) (2007) 16, 593–605 Blackwell Publishing Ltd RESEARCH A continental-scale analysis of tree cover PAPER in African savannas Gabriela Bucini* and Niall P. Hanan Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado ABSTRACT State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1499, Aim We present a continental-scale analysis that explores the processes controlling USA. E-mail: gbucini@; niall@ woody community structure in tropical savannas. We analyse how biotic and abiotic factors interact to promote and modify tree cover, examine alternative ecological hypotheses and quantify disturbance effects using satellite estimates of tree cover. Location African savannas. Methods Tree cover is represented as a resource-driven potential cover related to rainfall and soil characteristics perturbed by natural and human factors such as fire, cattle grazing, human population and cultivation. Within this framework our approach combines semi-empirical modelling and information theory to identify the best models. Results Woody community structure across African savannas is best represented