A continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in African savannas and human and environmental variables

This study analyses possible relationships between natural processes taking place in savannas and the tree patterns found in savannas. This can lead to new hypotheses about which processes are driving savanna physiognomy. To do so tree patterns were quantified for African savannas from historical ae...

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Autores principales: Groen, T.A., Langevelde, F. van, Vijver, C.A.D.M. van de, Raad, A.L. de, Leeuw, Jan de, Prins, H.H.T.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2011
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/3516
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author Groen, T.A.
Langevelde, F. van
Vijver, C.A.D.M. van de
Raad, A.L. de
Leeuw, Jan de
Prins, H.H.T.
author_browse Groen, T.A.
Langevelde, F. van
Leeuw, Jan de
Prins, H.H.T.
Raad, A.L. de
Vijver, C.A.D.M. van de
author_facet Groen, T.A.
Langevelde, F. van
Vijver, C.A.D.M. van de
Raad, A.L. de
Leeuw, Jan de
Prins, H.H.T.
author_sort Groen, T.A.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This study analyses possible relationships between natural processes taking place in savannas and the tree patterns found in savannas. This can lead to new hypotheses about which processes are driving savanna physiognomy. To do so tree patterns were quantified for African savannas from historical aerial photographs applying frequently used landscape metrics. Also, additional data for these areas were collected to quantify the processes taking place at these locations. Correlations between tree pattern indices and explaining factors were analysed. We found a negative trend between tree cover and density of sheep and goats, but no relationship between tree cover and density of cattle, suggesting that small livestock have an effect on tree cover, but that larger livestock (or obligate grazers) do not. Also, a positive correlation between human population density and tree cover was found. Possible explanations for the found relations are discussed. Subsequent ways to analyse the latter correlation are discussed, and the potential of the presented historical database of aerial photographs is highlighted.
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spelling CGSpace35162025-06-13T04:20:10Z A continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in African savannas and human and environmental variables Groen, T.A. Langevelde, F. van Vijver, C.A.D.M. van de Raad, A.L. de Leeuw, Jan de Prins, H.H.T. environment trees ecology This study analyses possible relationships between natural processes taking place in savannas and the tree patterns found in savannas. This can lead to new hypotheses about which processes are driving savanna physiognomy. To do so tree patterns were quantified for African savannas from historical aerial photographs applying frequently used landscape metrics. Also, additional data for these areas were collected to quantify the processes taking place at these locations. Correlations between tree pattern indices and explaining factors were analysed. We found a negative trend between tree cover and density of sheep and goats, but no relationship between tree cover and density of cattle, suggesting that small livestock have an effect on tree cover, but that larger livestock (or obligate grazers) do not. Also, a positive correlation between human population density and tree cover was found. Possible explanations for the found relations are discussed. Subsequent ways to analyse the latter correlation are discussed, and the potential of the presented historical database of aerial photographs is highlighted. 2011-08 2011-04-25T09:26:47Z 2011-04-25T09:26:47Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/3516 en Limited Access Elsevier Groen, T.A., Langevelde, F. van, Vijver, C.A.D.M. van de, Raad, A.L. de , Leeuw, J. de and Prins, H.H.T. 2011. A continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in African savannas and human and environmental variables. Journal of Arid Environments 75(8): 724-733.
spellingShingle environment
trees
ecology
Groen, T.A.
Langevelde, F. van
Vijver, C.A.D.M. van de
Raad, A.L. de
Leeuw, Jan de
Prins, H.H.T.
A continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in African savannas and human and environmental variables
title A continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in African savannas and human and environmental variables
title_full A continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in African savannas and human and environmental variables
title_fullStr A continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in African savannas and human and environmental variables
title_full_unstemmed A continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in African savannas and human and environmental variables
title_short A continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in African savannas and human and environmental variables
title_sort continental analysis of correlations between tree patterns in african savannas and human and environmental variables
topic environment
trees
ecology
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/3516
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