Dissertation Research: Tree-grass Interactions in a Kenyan Savanna: the Effects of Wild and Domestic Herbivores

许多栖息地是树木和草的混合物。 这些包括大草原、稀树草原和林地。这些社区经常改变其草和树的平衡，对当地生物多样性和人类产生重要影响（灌木入侵，牧场生产）。 然而，这些变化背后的机制知之甚少，部分原因是树木和草可以对彼此产生积极和消极的影响。 例如，树木和草竞争水和光，但也可以改善土壤条件，保护彼此免受食草动物的侵害。 大规模的，长期的实验在肯尼亚的相思树稀树草原将研究树木-草的相互作用，稀树草原生态一般，是如何影响a）野生和家养食草动物，B）树的大小，和c）树的密度。 这项研究的目标之一是让当地利益攸关方了解其土地管理做法的后果。 在世界许多地方，包括肯尼亚的研究地区，野生动物与家畜在混合使用的牧场上共存。了解野生和家养食草动物对树木-草相互作用的影响，对于成功管理这些牧场的生产和保护目标至关重要。该项目将向区域土地管理人员通报其调查结果。 将与利益攸关方举行几次非正式讲习班，讨论他们对该地区历史变化的看法，传播研究成果，并讨论其管理影响。

Many habitats are a mixture of trees and grasses. These include prairies, savannas, and woodlands. These communities often shift in their balance of grasses and trees, with important consequences for both native biodiversity and humans (bush encroachment, rangeland production). However, the mechanisms underlying these changes are poorly understood, in part because trees and grasses can have both positive and negative effects on each other. For example, trees and grasses compete for water and light, but also can improve soil conditions and protect each other from herbivores. Large-scale, long-term experiments in an acacia savanna in Kenya will examine how tree-grass interactions, and savanna ecology in general, are effected by a) wild and domestic herbivores, b) tree size, and c) tree density. One of the goals of this research is to inform local stakeholders of the consequences of their land management practices. In many parts of the world, including the study area in Kenya, wildlife coexists with domestic cattle on mixed-use rangeland. An understanding of the effects of wild and domestic herbivores on tree-grass interactions is central to successful management of these rangelands for both production and conservation objectives. This project will keep regional land managers informed of its findings. Several informal workshops will be held with stakeholders to discuss their perceptions of historical changes in the area, to disseminate research results, and to discuss their management implications.