11/26/2012
References
"Serengeti - The National Park's Official Site." Serengeti - The National Park's Official Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://www.serengeti.org/index_discover.html>.
"Serengeti II: Dynamics, Management, and Conservation of an Ecosystem - Google Books." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://books.google.com/books?id=YV5Qg2GSyWwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=serengeti+II&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pXG0UNqUFYfOigKmkoHwCg&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA>.
"Serengeti III: Human Impacts on Ecosystem Dynamics - Google Books." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=YRybBlahRGUC&oi=fnd&pg=PA347&dq=serengeti+park+income+revenue&ots=Zt--gEJoS7&sig=3cLLjG6bqVaKUGYmU1MsOcHMot8#v=onepage&q&f=false>.
Data
The below graph shows how the areas within the Serengeti ecosystem that are burned by illegal poachers for poaching purposes negatively affect the wildebeest population. No incident of fire naturally caused by lightening has been reported.
Improvements on the Human Impacts on the Ecosystem
Much of the improvements that can be done to the ecosystem has to be policies and measures mandated on a governmental level. Since the Serengeti has been established as a protected area and hunting has been legally prohibited, there has been a gradual recovery in the wildlife population. Likewise, policies and measures have to get enforced by Tanzanian and Kenyan governments to allocate more portion of their national budget for protection and preservation of the Serengeti ecosystem. Specifically, there are two areas of improvements, in which the ecosystem can be most benefited.
Firstly, the majority of the degradation of the environment and the biodiversity of the ecosystem has been directly and indirectly caused by the overpopulation in Tanzania and Kenya. Even though the fertility rates in these countries have dropped since the 1960s when they were 7.7 children per family and 6.6 children per family respectively, the population growth rate is far greater than the countries with stable population growth pattern. The two governments will have to come up with strategic policies that are focused on restricting the unregulated growth of population and public education on family planning.
Secondly, so far as the future prospects of the Serengeti ecosystem heavily depend on the income from tourism, the Tanzanian and Kenyan national park system should strive to improve the quality of their tourism industry. According to one source, 16% of the Tanzanian gross domestic product is accounted by the tourism in the nation. Thus, there is a huge incentive for both Tanzanian and Kenyan governments to set aside more budget for the improvement of their national park system. Moreover, as the closure of the border between Tanzania and Kenya in the 1970s proved that negligence in the maintenance of the national park could bring a consequence as disastrous as an extinction of a species, it is not enough to emphasize how important it is for the two countries to make sure that the tourism income flows into their revenue system in the future.
Firstly, the majority of the degradation of the environment and the biodiversity of the ecosystem has been directly and indirectly caused by the overpopulation in Tanzania and Kenya. Even though the fertility rates in these countries have dropped since the 1960s when they were 7.7 children per family and 6.6 children per family respectively, the population growth rate is far greater than the countries with stable population growth pattern. The two governments will have to come up with strategic policies that are focused on restricting the unregulated growth of population and public education on family planning.
Secondly, so far as the future prospects of the Serengeti ecosystem heavily depend on the income from tourism, the Tanzanian and Kenyan national park system should strive to improve the quality of their tourism industry. According to one source, 16% of the Tanzanian gross domestic product is accounted by the tourism in the nation. Thus, there is a huge incentive for both Tanzanian and Kenyan governments to set aside more budget for the improvement of their national park system. Moreover, as the closure of the border between Tanzania and Kenya in the 1970s proved that negligence in the maintenance of the national park could bring a consequence as disastrous as an extinction of a species, it is not enough to emphasize how important it is for the two countries to make sure that the tourism income flows into their revenue system in the future.
11/25/2012
The Future Prospect of the Ecosystem
The most serious problem that the countries that take the main responsibilities of the maintenance and preservation of the ecosystem face is the explosion of human population. Undoubtedly, human impacts have played a major role in harming the natural structure of the ecosystem, which has been undisturbed for million years. As more people live close to the Serengeti ecosystem, more people depend on the resources that the ecosystem provides. For this reason, there has been a strong correlation between the increase of human population and the decrease of the wildlife population. The flood of human population into the areas around the ecosystem not only causes direct problems such as illegal hunting but also indirect problems such as spread of viral diseases and infections that the wildlife are not immune to. For example, Rinderpest had been the major killer of the wildlife population inhabiting in the Serengeti National Park for the past 100 years. Soon after the disappearance of the viral disease, another kind of viral disease known as Canine Distemper started spreading into the ecosystem as humans brought domestic canines and other livestock into the nearby areas. These diseases have driven the wildlife population in the Serengeti to near extinction. It is estimated that a Kenyan woman will have on average 4.7 children while in Tanzania the fertility rate is estimated to be 5.6 children per family. Although the total fertility rate in these countries has significantly dropped since the 1960s, at such a rate, the population will continue to increase, and the aforementioned problems such as the spread of viral diseases and illegal hunting will persist. As the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments experienced the negative consequences of the depletion of the revenue for the Serengeti National Park in the 1970s due to an unexpected drop of tourism, which resulted in the increase of illegal poaching and the near-extinction of buffalo, the two countries have made tremendous efforts at preserving the ecosystem. As a result, in the 2000s, the number of tourists have more than doubled since the 1980s, and the income from tourism is increasing at a steady rate of 6% annually. At such a rate, the revenue source for maintaining the Serengeti ecosystem will be stabilized and the human impacts that have been deteriorating the conditions of the ecosystem will reverse in the future.
11/23/2012
Human Impacts on the Ecosystem
There are two broad human impacts on the Serengeti ecosystem. One is the indirect impact such as spread of viral diseases, and the other is the direct impact caused by killing of the wildlife in the ecosystem.
A viral disease known as rinderpest first started spreading in the Serengeti ecosystem in the 1880s and remained there until the 1960s. The disease, which is known to be lethal particularly to wildebeest (Connochaetes Taurinus) and buffalo (Syncerus Caffer), was introduced by humans who carried the virus originated in Asia. Over the past century, it had contributed to the decline of the wildlife population in the ecosystem. Fortunately, the disease has been considered completely removed out of the ecosystem since 1982. Another kind of viral disease was introduced by humans into the system as human population flooded into the areas around the ecosystem. It is considered that domestic dogs and livestock are the culprit of spreading canine distemper that infected the wildlife population in the Serengeti.
In addition to the viral diseases, illegal hunting has been one of the major factors that contributed to the decline of wildlife population. In 1977, after the closure of the border between Tanzania and Kenya discouraged the tourism, which accounted for 90% of the revenue for the national park, the maintenance and security of the ecosystem were neglected. As a result, effective regulation and prevention on the illegal hunting had been ignored until recently. However, some parts of the Serengeti ecosystem, the illegal hunting is still presumed to be affecting the wildlife population. Another factor that caused the increase in hunting is the increase in the human population in the nearby areas in the early 1970s. The surge of human population entailed a drastic increase in illegal poaching of the wildlife in the Serengeti. As the illegal poaching became a popular means for the residents to make a living, the wildlife population dropped significantly in the 1970s and the 1980s. The rhinoceros population dropped by 52% in one year alone in 1977. About one half of the elephant and buffalo population in the Serengeti was killed between the 1970s and the late 1980s. Specifically, the buffalo population's decline from 14,000 to 1,500 between 1975 and the early 1990s shows how many animals were killed by humans.
It is also important to note the use of land by the people who inhabit in the areas near the ecosystem and its protected areas. Due to the increase in the human population and the consumption of resources, more people have utilized the land for agricultural purpose oblivious to the fact that the overuse of land and intense cultivation could entail negative impacts such as threats to biodiversity in the region.
A viral disease known as rinderpest first started spreading in the Serengeti ecosystem in the 1880s and remained there until the 1960s. The disease, which is known to be lethal particularly to wildebeest (Connochaetes Taurinus) and buffalo (Syncerus Caffer), was introduced by humans who carried the virus originated in Asia. Over the past century, it had contributed to the decline of the wildlife population in the ecosystem. Fortunately, the disease has been considered completely removed out of the ecosystem since 1982. Another kind of viral disease was introduced by humans into the system as human population flooded into the areas around the ecosystem. It is considered that domestic dogs and livestock are the culprit of spreading canine distemper that infected the wildlife population in the Serengeti.
In addition to the viral diseases, illegal hunting has been one of the major factors that contributed to the decline of wildlife population. In 1977, after the closure of the border between Tanzania and Kenya discouraged the tourism, which accounted for 90% of the revenue for the national park, the maintenance and security of the ecosystem were neglected. As a result, effective regulation and prevention on the illegal hunting had been ignored until recently. However, some parts of the Serengeti ecosystem, the illegal hunting is still presumed to be affecting the wildlife population. Another factor that caused the increase in hunting is the increase in the human population in the nearby areas in the early 1970s. The surge of human population entailed a drastic increase in illegal poaching of the wildlife in the Serengeti. As the illegal poaching became a popular means for the residents to make a living, the wildlife population dropped significantly in the 1970s and the 1980s. The rhinoceros population dropped by 52% in one year alone in 1977. About one half of the elephant and buffalo population in the Serengeti was killed between the 1970s and the late 1980s. Specifically, the buffalo population's decline from 14,000 to 1,500 between 1975 and the early 1990s shows how many animals were killed by humans.
It is also important to note the use of land by the people who inhabit in the areas near the ecosystem and its protected areas. Due to the increase in the human population and the consumption of resources, more people have utilized the land for agricultural purpose oblivious to the fact that the overuse of land and intense cultivation could entail negative impacts such as threats to biodiversity in the region.
11/19/2012
The Historical State of the Ecosystem
Since the late 1800s when the Serengeti was first discovered by a group of European missionaries, the ecosystem has been known as a place where a large population of wildlife prospers. Especially, carnivores like lions and herbivores like wildebeests have thrived across generations without threats by humans for million years. Historically, it is also known that the environmental conditions of the Serengeti have been undisturbed for several million years, and the only human impact that the wildlife population has come in contact is the interaction with the traditional African tribes such as the Maasai who have inhabited in the savanna in Tanzania and Kenya. The boundary of the ecosystem is largely defined by the movement of the wildlife population in order to protect its migration pattern that varies over seasons. After the existence of the Serengeti became known to the outside world, the large population of lions attracted European hunters into the region and killing of the animals became a common sight. In order to protect the wildlife population from hunters, hunting has been progressively restricted since the 1937. In 1951, an area of 2,286 km^2 of the ecosystem was first established as a national park and the surrounding areas became part of the national park to protect the corridor for the wildlife's migration. In 1972, the Serengeti National Park became the first areas to be nominated as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Today, the Serengeti ecosystem encloses an area of approximately 30,000 km^2 including the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve across Tanzania and Kenya to preserve the biodiversity of the region undisturbed for million years.
Today, the Serengeti ecosystem encloses an area of approximately 30,000 km^2 including the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve across Tanzania and Kenya to preserve the biodiversity of the region undisturbed for million years.
11/17/2012
Map of the Serengeti
 |
| Click here to the source http://wildtrailsafaris.blogspot.com/2011/12/serengeti-national-park.html |
11/16/2012
Maps
Map of Tanzania in Africa
http://www.africhoice.com/african_safari_maps/tanzania_map_of_tanzania.gif
Map of Serengeti in Tanzania
http://www.thesafaricompany.co.za/images/Map%20of%20Tanzania.gif
Images
Aerial view of Serengeti
http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/52/104452-004-A5AB4938.jpg
http://ecolibrary.org/images/full_image/Savanna_w_zebras_and_impalas_Tanzania_DP30.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WkRZ7YIlPiY/TPhEqEkgC2I/AAAAAAAAAUY/vaUi7UXlEgE/s1600/Elephant+in+the+Savannah+2.jpg
Animals
Animals
http://www.iserengeti.com/images/cover_animals.jpg
Historical State
Savannas came about with the decrease in precipitation and the appearance of grasses in areas of the tropics. Evidence shows that the rich vegetation seen in modern savannas also existed in the past during the Miocene Epoch (20 million years ago). As climate began to change during this period, precipitation occurred less often and this had a direct effect on the vegetation. Because of this climate change, savannas emerged differently depending on the region they were in. Moreover, savannas vary in their nature according to region as a direct result of human impact and expansion. Hence, these factors led to animals and plants having to adapt to the new environment and therefore evolving to the new dry habitat.
In the Serengeti, the area used to be uninhabited for hundreds of years until the Massai tribe arrived in the region. Following the Massai, professional hunters began arriving in the 1900s. News of the plentiful wildlife eventually reached other parts of the world, leading to the depletion of lions and other animals. This led to the establishment of gaming reserves and national parks. The Serengeti is known for its variety of wild life (zebras, lions, giraffes, etc.), numerous plants/trees (acacia trees), seasons of rainfall, and naturally occurring fires.
 |
http://assets.knowledge.allianz.com/img/savannah_grassland_africa_shutterstock_q_49550.jpg
 http://explore.org/photos/163/tanzania-maasai-tribe |
Human Impacts
Humans have taken advantage of savannas through agriculture, cattle grazing, poaching, and fire. Because humans have used the land for their own needs, animals lose their natural habitat. Not only do humans take land, but they destroy and pollute it through the use of fossil fuels, fertilizer, irrigation, and monoculture. These practices all lead to the changing landscape of the savanna as well as the loss of several species of animals and plants. Moreover, the cattle grazing that has come to dominate this ecosystem has led to overgrazing. The more livestock there is in an area, the more overgrazing that occurs--which directly affects the savanna. While cattle grazing affects the vegetation and water available, poaching results in the extinction of several species of animals. By depleting the numbers of important species in the environment, humans are endangering the whole ecosystem. Hence, the savanna begins to change and can no longer fulfill the needs of its inhabitants. Fire, on the other hand, is an essential component to savannas. Although fires are necessary to maintain the balance of the ecosystem, humans tend to inhibit and restrain them. Without fires, this ecosystem can change drastically and no longer have the characteristics pertinent to savannas. Even though the Serengeti had these problems in the past, it no longer has as many negative impacts. This is due to the government declaring the area as a National Park in the 1950s. Even with huge improvements in the area, poaching continues to be the main concern.
Overgrazing
http://www.fredhoogervorst.com/oni.app/local/upload/07483pan.jpg
http://www.fredhoogervorst.com/oni.app/local/upload/07483pan.jpg
Poaching in Serengeti
http://www.zgf.de/downloads/917.jpg
Future Prospects
Although most savannas with a bad conservation status will most likely become deserts without improvement, the Serengeti is actually doing better than most because of its establishment as a national park in 1951. Even with the creation of the national park, the people who inhabit the surrounding are the source of the problem. As the population increases around the region, more land is needed for the natives to be able to survive off of hunting and farming. Although poaching continues to be a problem, the problem has diminished due to a solution regarding tourism provided by the government. Because Serengeti receives most of its money from tourism, a part of the money could go to these people so that poaching no longer has to be necessary. Without better communication between the government and natives, the Serengeti cannot hope to improve and excel in its conservation efforts.
Natives of Serengeti
http://5savanna.weebly.com/uploads/5/5/8/6/5586246/8927364.jpg?441
Tourism
http://www.sunnysafaris.com/tanzania-safari/images/adventure-safari.jpg
Improving Human Impacts
Because of the many national parks that have been established, the status of the protected areas represents the highest level of resource protection that can be provided in Serengeti. In order to maintain the balance between people and the savanna, natives need to reduce the amount of overgrazing and farming. Further, more national parks need to be established to conserve the flora and fauna of this ecosystem. Regarding poaching, the best way to reduce this illegal practice is to offer incentives for the natives in the region. Despite the many proposals, efforts will not improve unless the government provides the natives with better alternatives to gain their necessities. One such effort is the establishment of Wildlife Management Areas which allow natives to hunt in specific areas. Most importantly, the conservation of the Serengeti will benefit most from educating the natives on alternatives and the need to protect the ecosystem.
Conservation Area
http://www.wildlifetanzania.com/booking/pictures/stages/Ngorongoro-Conservation-Area---Serengeti.jpg
Data of Current Impacts
Population of Buffalo
This table shows the changes in total numbers of buffalo in the Serengeti National Park since 1965. In this case, it shows how human impact has led to the buffalo becoming an endangered species.
http://www.springerimages.com/img/Images/Springer/JOU=10531/VOL=2010.19/ISU=12/ART=9904/MediaObjects/MEDIUM_10531_2010_9904_Fig2_HTML.jpg
References
Biological Conservation. "Land-cover change and human population trends in the greater Serengeti ecosystem from 1984–2003." Volume 147, Issue 1 (2012). Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320712000237>.
Metzger, K. L, et al. Biodiversity and Conservation. "Evaluating the Protection of Wildlife in Parks: The Case of African Buffalo in Serengeti." Volume 19, Number 12 (2010). Web. 16 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.springerlink.com/content/b715442112855753/>.
"Savanna." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/525656/savanna>.
"Savanna Biomes." Savanna Biomes. Web. 16 Nov. 2012 <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna.htm>.
"The Serengeti National Park." Serengeti. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.glcom.com/hassan/serengeti.html>.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)