Q.1 Provide one example of a keystone species found in the biome/ecosystem. Why is this keystone species important to the biome/ecosystem? What defines it as a keystone species?
This short report will be looking at the savanna biome. Baily (2018) comments that their unique vegetation and animal life can define biomes. They consist of regions such as the tundra, desert, and tropical rainforests. The savanna biome encompasses regions of open grasslands with only a small population of trees (Baily, 2018). There are two kinds of savannas, tropical and semi-tropical savannas. Savanna is one form of grassland biome.
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In Africa savannas such as the Maasai Mara in Kenya, elephants are a keystone species. According to National Geographic (n.d.), a keystone species is an animal that contributes positively to the manner in which an ecosystem functions. With the absence of keystone species, this would change the ecosystem entirely or lead to its depletion altogether. Elephants consumer shrubs and small trees, such as acacia that thrive on the savanna plains. The absence of elephants would mean the ecosystem would be drastically different or become extinct. There are a vast host of diverse species that rely on elephants for their existence. If elephants go extinct, so do they (National Geographic, n.d.). For instance, with elephants controlling the tree population, grasses flourish and sustain browsing herbivores including wildebeests, Zebras, and Antelopes. Predators such as Lions and Cheetahs rely on the savanna for their food supply.
Q 2. Provide an example of an invasive species found in the biome/ecosystem. What are some of the negative impacts this invasive species has on the ecosystem? What is being done to mitigate the effects?
One invasive species in the African Savanna is the Fire Ant, whose impact has been massive in the savanna biome. As it is not an indigenous species, Fire Ant always eliminate native ant species and result in dramatic transformations to the biome food chain by replacing other local types arthropods (Stokstand,2014). The mutualistic relationship between the Fire Ant and the Acacia is the primary influence on the quantity of tree cover in this biome (Stokstad, 2014). These ants often eat plants that are required by other species and interrupt the mutualisms between them. For instance, the Fire Ant negatively affects species in the savanna, including elephants and the big cats. Further, the invasive ant lowers biodiversity between creatures by preying on them or disrupting their source of food.
To mitigate the adverse effects of Fire Ant invasion, fire is seen as the ultimate disturbance across the savanna. Because, fire alters broad patterns in the richness and population of animals and plant-it is commonly employed as a management tool in conservation areas (Clown et., 2004). As a result, the wildfires cause profound alterations to the Fire Ant community assemblage.
Q 3. Provide one example of an endangered species found in the biome/ecosystem. Briefly discuss the causes of the decline in the species and what is being done to help.
One example of the endangered species in the savanna biome is the black rhino. This breed of rhino continues to face a threat of extinction thanks mostly to poaching by humans, as their horns are valued for their healing properties and religious symbolism (Margrit, 2012). The animal is chiefly confined to four countries, which are Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and South Africa. According to Margrit (2012), the most effective actions being taken to preserve black rhinos from going extinct is through preventing poaching. Poaching prevention measures involve paramilitary training skills, night vision helicopter surveillance, intelligence collection and use of an anti-poaching system, such as the GPS tracking-equipment.
References
Bailey, R. (2018, October 20). Savanna Biome: Climate, Locations, and Wildlife. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/land-biomes-savannas-373494
Clown, S.L., Biggs, H.C., Robertson, H.G., & Parr. C. L. (2004). The response of African savanna ants to long-term fire regimes. Journal of Applied Ecology ,41, 630-642
Margrit, W. (2012, July 4). Ten Strategies to Save the Rhino: Which will work? [Blog Post] Retrieved from www.nikela.org/ten-strategies-to-save-the-rhino-which-will-really- work/
National Geographic. (n.d.). Keystone Species. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/keystone-species/
Stokstad, E. (2014, September 8). Invading ant threatens unique African ecosystem. Science. Retrieved from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2014/09/invading-ant-threatens- unique-African-ecosystem
