BETA
Chapter 1
The physiological superpowers of savanna giants
Chapter 2
Ecosystem engineers of the savanna
Chapter 3
The chess game of predator and prey
Chapter 4
Inside the modern game reserve
Ch 2 · Ecosystem engineers of the savanna
thabo Rhino Grazing Lawns
Mowing the savanna low! (Cropping it low!) / No grass to burn when the dry winds blow! (Nowhere to go!)
thabo A 2017 study shows how elephants use their 96-hour digestion and 20-meter-long tracts to deposit 3,200 seeds daily.
Quiz
How long can seeds remain inside an elephant's 20-meter-long digestive tract before being deposited?
Quiz
According to ecological tracking studies, what is the maximum distance an elephant can disperse seeds?
thabo These lush islands sustain diverse wildlife by providing food during harsh dry seasons.
Quiz
How do the internal tunnels of a termite mound help plants survive during dry seasons?
Quiz
Which soil nutrient is heavily concentrated inside termite mounds compared to the surrounding savanna soil?
Fun Fact
Rhino dung power: Introducing rhino dung to degraded soil dramatically increases its electrical conductivity, making phosphorus and nitrogen instantly more available to plants.
Quiz
How much grass can an adult hippopotamus consume during a single night of grazing on land?
Quiz
Which key element do hippos transfer from land plants into rivers, supporting aquatic food webs?
Glossary
ecosystem engineer (noun)
An organism that significantly alters, creates, maintains, or destroys a physical habitat. African elephants shape the savanna by clearing dense woody vegetation and creating waterholes for other species.
An organism that significantly alters, creates, maintains, or destroys a physical habitat. African elephants shape the savanna by clearing dense woody vegetation and creating waterholes for other species.
Quiz
How do the grazing habits of white rhinos help protect the savanna from devastating wildfires?
Quiz
What ecological term describes the short-grass patches created and maintained by grazing white rhinos?