Human+Impact+period+8

~ H U M A N I M P A CT ~

__Grazing__ In many parts of the savannas of Africa people have started using it to graze their cattle and goats. However, if the livestock stays in one area the grasses will be completely eaten up. This then causes the savanna to turn into a desert because of no vegetation. Huge areas of savanna are lost to the Sahara desert every year because of overgrazing and farming.

__Cultivation__ When farmers come to savannas to clear the land for cultivation they wipe out all the trees then burn the dead ones. Nevertheless, when the ashes permeate through the soil it will make the soil fertile. However, if the field is abandoned some grass can regrow but it will unfortunately burn within a year or so.

__Fires__ Fires that occur in savannas are often caused by poachers who want to clear away dead grass to make it easier to see their prey. Fortunately, the fires do not devastate the community, but many insects are killed due to the fires. Fires can mean dinner for some animals, becauase they will come to where the fire took place to eat grasshoppers, stick insects, beetles, mice, and lizards that are killed or driven out by the fire.

__Poaching__ Poaching affects savannas because some species of animals, like the rhinoceros and the elephant, are threatened of extinction. Poachers kill elephant's tusks, for the ivory, or rhinoceros' horns to make profit. Fortunately, some countries have taken action to stop poaching.