In this talk, ecologist Robert Pringle discusses how patterns and processes that occur in the savanna, a globally important biome, illustrate core concepts in ecology.

Savannas cover 20% of Earth’s surface, including much of Africa. They are defined by the stable coexistence of trees and grass. The stability of a savanna ecosystem was once thought to be determined by abiotic factors, such as rainfall, fires, soil, and nutrients. Pringle describes research that reveals the importance of biotic factors, such as large herbivores, predators, and even termite mounds.

This talk is from a 2015 Holiday Lecture Series, Patterns and Processes in Ecology.