5 Major autotrophs |
5 major heterotrophs
5major decomposers/scavengers
Keystone species
Elephants maintain the entire savanna ecosystem because they are capable of knocking down trees and uprooting them, allowing for grasses to thrive instead. This action prevents the grassland from developing into a forest or woodland and allows for all the species that live in the savanna to maintain their habitat.
Termites bring large amounts of soil to the surface, and the mounds they create can turn into habitats for other species such as mongoose and barbets.
Endangered Species
The Black Rhino was among one of the most endangered species in the world and back in 2001 there was only 3200 left and a majority lived among wildlife preserves. Today they are officially considered extinct the last time they were spotted was back in 2006. This has occurred due to lack of conservation efforts and poachers who kill rhinos for their horns.
The African Elephant are illegally hunted down by poachers for their tusks, meat, and skin. A majority of them live on wildlife preserves however there is not enough of this space to home many elephants. Also due to human expansion elephants have lost their habitats.
The Cheetah population has been reduced largely because farm land has extended into their habitat and they suffer from the threat of hyenas who prey on cheetah cubs.
The African Wild Dog is threatened by farmers and hunters. Farmers kill them to save their livestock and hunters make a profit out of the Wild Dog's colorful pelt. Conservation groups try to help the Wild Dogs however because they require a large hunting ground it is hard to contain them in preserves.