Today you will journey through Savannah ecosystems in three unique locations around the world.
These three locations may be far apart in distance, but they are similar in how they contribute to a healthy planet.
Savannahs in Africa are credited with being the cradle for human evolution, and their counterparts around the world are similarly important for our economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing.
Restoration efforts are making sure these ancient ecosystems will be around to support future generations, just as they have for our oldest ancestors.
that typically hang out in trees and bushes where their spotted pattern provides camouflaged. We are lucky to be seeing one right now!
Believe it or not, leopards can run up to
Despite their speed, their main hunting tactic is to ambush prey by jumping from trees. Though they have an impressive ability to adapt to different environments, they still fall victim to habitat conversion and even the overcrowding of minibuses and jeeps from tourist groups, which can interrupt their hunts. We can help protect leopard populations by restoring land that has been degraded and is not being used for purposes that benefit human communities, like former farmland that now has unusable soil.
Let’s go see what other species we can find!
A source of beautiful, kaleidoscopic colors in the savannah is the
Where else can the Gouldian finch be found in the wild?
If the savannah land in Northern Australia suffers or is wiped out, the finches will face the same fate.
Protecting savannahs and other ecosystems means protecting the unique species that are endemic to the region and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. And restoring degraded landscapes means we provide more space for species like the Gouldian finch to thrive.
Our next animal has a pig-like body with a long, flexible trunk.
a creature with a unique ancient lineage.
it is believed that these animals have hardly changed over tens of millions of years. Tapirs are nocturnal mammals who feed on leaves, fruit, twigs, and grass. They help maintain biodiversity in the Cerrado by dispersing the seeds of plants as they eat them, leaving them well-fertilized and providing food for other animals.
Unfortunately, tapirs are endangered in the Cerrado region due to trophy hunting and land conversion for agriculture. Tapirs’ ecosystem roles and unique ancient history are irreplaceable—that's why we must protect them and restore degraded habitat so they can stick around even longer!
Look, I think I spot a wolf in the distance!
Tanzania’s oldest park, it’s one of the most well-known wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
It’s home to countless and diverse plant and animal species that make up the Savannah ecosystem.
But despite the beauty and wonders of the park, its health and the health of other savannahs are being threatened by the impacts of climate change.
Let’s learn more about the unique features of this savannah, and why it’s so important that it continues to thrive!
If you thought those cats were big, check out this species—
What do you think their tusks are for?
They help dig and scrape for food but can also be used for fighting. Sadly, the elephant’s tusk is also what puts it at risk of poaching. The decline in elephant populations is impacting the entire ecosystem: elephants maintain the health of the soil through their dung, they maintain the grassy plains by eating young tress and also help spread and germinate tree seeds across their long journeys.
But we can join the many organizations, governments, and individuals working to reverse their population decline. As with the other species we’ve met, one way to do this is by restoring elephant habitat so that, as we work to reduce poaching, existing populations have space to live and thrive.
This spiked, unique-looking animal is known as the
or the “spiny anteater.”
They also thrive in a variety of climates, which puts them at an impressive advantage in the face of human-induced climate change; however, what truly allows them to persist is legal protection in Australia.
The short-beaked Echidna is the perfect example of how conservation efforts can draw attention to lawmakers who can make tangible change in the protection of animals and ecosystems. Without this law in place, echidnas would have much less protection and likely be in danger of extinction.
but it certainly doesn’t behave like one.
Unlike other species of wolves, the maned wolf does not howl, nor does it form packs or hunt large prey.
The maned wolf sticks to
for their diet.
You might have also noticed their long legs, lifting them above the grass. These are what gives them the name of the “fox on stilts.”
Like the lion to the Serengeti, the maned wolf is one of the Cerrado region’s apex predators, meaning it has no natural predators. However, human activity surrounding the region has made an impact on the ecosystem and put maned wolves in danger. Not only is land conversion and deforestation a harmful practice, but also the occurrence of retaliatory killings is an issue. Stopping poaching, slowing land conversion, and restoring degraded areas are critical to the wolf’s survival.
Up ahead we can see what is known as the
Let’s check him out! But we’ll make sure to remain in the vehicle, a safe distance away so we don't disturb him.
As you can see, the Eastern black rhinoceros is a massive animal.They typically weigh up to
Although they might look intimidating, they play a nurturing role in the ecosystem. Rhinos feed on the leaves from bushes and trees, helping to shape and maintain the savannah’s landscape. Local communities benefit from them as well through what we’re doing right now—sustainable ecotourism!
Despite the benefits that they provide, poachers often illegally hunt them to sell their horns on the black market. Although they have made a significant comeback, their numbers dropped by 98% between 1960 and 1995. And as we’ve learned, a decrease in population doesn’t just affect the rhinos; it threatens the entire food chain. Restoring their habitat is one way we can help rhino populations recover from their devastating loss.
A staple to the savannah in Northern Australia is
Although these furry friends might look small, their legs give them the ability to jump great distances.
And as for their elongated faces, it leaves room for large, flat teeth that help them chew their meals.
These little wallabies can jump up to a shocking
Although wallabies are primarily found in Northern Australia, they are dependent on the specific traits of the ecosystem that are shared by every savannah around the world. Sparsely populated trees and ample room for shrubs with access to sunlight are characteristics wallabies could not thrive without. As eaters of shrubs and grasses, they also help to manage the populations of these plants.
Looks like there is a lizard up ahead. Should we pay her a visit?
the unfortunate reality is that savannahs have declined over the past decades due to climate change and land conversion.
In the past, savannah conservation has been traditionally overlooked because of its proximity to better known ecosystems like tropical rainforests and coral reefs.
But savannahs, which operate similarly to these other systems, are important not only for their abundance of life, but for their
tourism generation,
carbon storage,
and medicinal plant provision.
It’s not an easy process, but governments, organizations, and communities are spearheading restoration process in savannahs around the world.
And while each restoration project might look a little different based on a savannah’s unique characteristics, popular approaches include:
Each one of us can play a role in protecting and restoring savannahs by learning about their importance, appreciating them responsibly, and sharing with others what we’ve learned.
Northern Australia’s savannah ecosystem may have its own unique, special organisms,
but like all savannahs, it is fragile—
land conversion,
climate change,
poaching,
and other human activities,
pose serious threats to the delicate nature of this ecosystem, and their negative impacts can already been found in areas that have been degraded or destroyed.
These threats come at a cost: savannahs regulate the climate, and they provide people with economic, cultural, and medicinal benefits.
That’s why it’s critical to restore areas we’ve lost while protecting those we still have.
Restoring savannahs often involves:
By now, you’re likely used to the color scheme of the savannahs—the tan colors of the shrubs, the occasional greens of the trees—but now we see red!
This brilliant red shrub that stands out in the Cerrado is known as the
How tall do you think this shrub grows to be?
The cigana-do-Cerrado typically grows to be
While this shrub stands out for its physical beauty, it is also of great value to the many grazers of the savannah ecosystem. What’s more, the cigana-do-Cerrado is able to thrive thanks to the specific spacing of the trees in the savannah ecosystem that allow light to reach the ground.
Human-induced climate change has the potential to reshape the landscape and, in turn, wipe out the cigana-do-Cerrado.
Savannahs provide a home for a range of herbivores (animals who eat only plants).
But herbivore numbers are kept in balance by predators so that they don’t overgraze.
up ahead is at the top of the food chain.
The Serengeti holds the largest population of lions in Africa, with around
These magnificent big cats hunt and eat gazelles, buffalo, zebras, and other mammals, so disturbances that hurt prey populations jeopardize lions as well. Lion populations across Africa are in decline as their habitat is reduced, which is another reason restoring savannahs is so important. Humans sometimes hunt lions for sport, and commercial safaris that do not promote sustainability and eco-friendliness have a bad habit of disturbing the wildlife.
Eco-friendly tourism that acknowledges the fragile nature of the Serengeti’s lion populations can help everyone in the long run!
This large, predatory lizard
is a highly adaptable species who lays its eggs in a nest and burrows for protection.
Since they are so adaptable, they can thrive in a variety of environments—some can even climb trees!
They’re impressive eaters, but food is also related to their scary reputation. When commercial tourist companies encourage guests to feed Goannas, the lizards can harm humans.
Thankfully you’ve opted for an animal-friendly tour of the savannah!
The Cerrado is a vast tropical savannah that is home to ample biodiversity.
Unlike other savannah regions, only 2.2% of the Cerrado is legally protected, making it all-the-more vulnerable to devastation.
This makes it critical to think about not only protecting the Cerrado, but also restoring what has already been degraded or destroyed.
What’s that in the sky? These bold, beautiful parrots known as
used to travel in flocks of hundreds of thousands; nowadays, we are lucky even to be seeing one of them.
Sadly, there are only between
remaining in the wild. The story of the hyacinth macaw decline is one that, like many others, is rooted in poaching.
The parrot species was almost poached into extinction due to illegal pet trade, and it was thanks to concentrated conservation efforts that turned traffickers into protectors and saved the species. It is stories like this from which we can learn that if a concentrated effort is put forth, change is possible.
As we continue to drive through the savannah, you’ve probably noticed strange trees with small oval leaves.
emblematic landmarks of the savannah ecosystem.
and have evolved to withstand this harsh ecosystem’s fires and droughts. Their sparse population allows light to reach the ground so shrubs and grasses can thrive. Acacias can emit ethylene gas as a distress signal, prompting browsing animals to move on; neighboring acacias will then pump tannins into their leaves to encourage further migration from the area.
Increased temperatures and rainfall due to climate change can cause more frequent fires or excessive tree growth, preventing grass and shrubs from thriving and, in turn, harming the animals who eat them.
Speaking of animals, I see one ahead! What could it be?
Savannahs are home to some of the most unique, interesting tree species the planet has to offer, and the Northern Australian savannah is no exception. Up ahead we see a
native to Australia and the primary source of food for koala bears.
Eucalyptus trees are unique not only in their physical characteristics and abilities to thrive in dry climates, but also in their
to humans. Humans have long relied on eucalyptus to treat a variety of topical ailments like inflammation!
As you can see, the health of savannahs is directly related to our own health.
We’ve spotted our first creature—
These spectacular creatures are the largest and rarest armadillos in the world, and we’re lucky to catch a glimpse of them.
and do spend a decent amount of time underground. These creatures are known as “ecosystem engineers”, burrowing into the ground in search of both creatures to eat and places to sleep. When other animals see these burrows, they use them as refuge from potential predators and other threats.
Although its actions protect dozens of other species, the Giant Armadillo faces danger every day. Different human activities such as hunting, busy roads, agricultural pesticides, and fires pose a serious threat to the well-being of these animals. It’s important to protect them so the entire ecosystem remains balanced.
{NAME}, you’ve had a taste of the fruitful diversity and specialties of the
Now you can play a role in protecting it!
Unfortunately, although the Cerrado is home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity, 97.8% of it is unprotected and vulnerable to land conversion.
Especially considering the rises in food demand that will come in the next decades, there will be even more pressure to convert savanna into agricultural land.
We hope, of course, to protect the land and prevent this from happening.
But much of the Cerrado has already been lost.
The benefits of restoration go beyond biodiversity:
Savannas provide a multitude of ecosystem services that are crucial to the well-being of the planet. They regulate the climate, and they provide people with economic, cultural, and medicinal benefits. By restoring savannahs, we protect our own well-being.
Savannahs like the Cerrado can be restored in a number of ways, including: