Understanding complexity in savannas: climate, biodiversity and people

Savannas are the most extensive biome in the tropics. These extremely dynamic coupled socio-ecological ecosystems are shaped by a long history of interaction with humans, fire, climate and wildlife, particularly herbivores. Given the extensive spatial nature, and the many direct and indirect benefits savannas provide to surrounding human populations, savannas deserve a special place on the ecosystem management agenda. Increasing human population growth, climate change, atmospheric change and resource use impact on savanna composition, distribution and function bring a host of challenges. These impacts are compounded by political, land tenure and economic shifts - all factors that will bring more challenges. It is vital that knowledge gaps in ecological function, natural resource partitioning and predicted response of savannas to environmental change are filled; this will require truly inter-disciplinary and intra-disciplinary approaches. With this multi-dimension perspective it is imperative that our understanding on ecosystem socio-environmental interaction is considered to impart effective long-term management strategies and thus ensure a sustainable future for savanna ecosystems.