Termites facilitate and ungulates limit savanna tree regeneration

摘要: Both large herbivores and termites are key functional groups in savanna ecosystems, many areas, termite mounds (termitaria) associated with distinct woody clusters. Studies on the effect of mammals tree regeneration few, results conflicting. Large have been found to be important seedling predators some but facilitate by outcompeting small reducing grass cover other areas. Through use experimental fencing adjacent areas this study, we investigated how influence regeneration. Termite had a higher number seedlings, more species richness, alpha diversity (OD) lower evenness (E) than plots. did not significantly affect overall density, OD or E. Beta was termitaria, beta decreased when were excluded. Herbivore exclusion increased density 12 (40 %) most common species, representing 79 % all fenced plots relatively taller seedlings open Thus, main determinants our study area, regulated species. Although confirms previous work suggesting that regeneration, an even determinant. impacts deserve attention ecologists.