Human activities pose a threat to the Serengeti ecosystem in Africa.
One of the greatest expanses on Earth, the Serengeti Mara ecosystem extends from Tanzania to Kenya. The entire ecosystem may be at risk due to the pressure exerted by human activities. The pressure not only reduces the size of wildlife habitats but also diminishes the fertility of the soil and vegetation.
The Serengeti Mara ecosystem encompasses an area of approximately 15,000 square miles. Zebras, cheetahs, hippos, and elephants are among the numerous species of creatures that inhabit the area. Another marvel of the world is situated at the core of this ecosystem. The migration of over one million wildebeests is a sight that should be observed by all.
Wildebeests have historically preferred to remain in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park during rainy seasons. In order to access the grassland area, they would migrate northward into the Maasai Mara region, traveling with a few zebras.
The Serengeti Mara ecosystem is divided into two regions: the Western and Eastern ranges. The Serengeti National Park and the Maasai Mara Reserve are “core protected areas” that are part of the Western range. This section of the historic range is not permissible for livestock, agricultural activities, or hunting.
The Maasai people continue to maintain their traditional pastoral herding system in the Eastern range. The protection in this Eastern region is more relaxed. Consequently, the Serengeti Mara ecosystem is a mosaic of protected and unprotected areas.
The human population has been on the rise in the vicinity of the ecosystem, particularly in the vicinity of the primary protected area. Additionally, there has been an increase in agricultural activities, as producers have acquired an increasing number of cows and other livestock. The legal range-land has become increasingly congested, restricting the amount of sustenance that herders can provide for their animals. Consequently, they compel their animals to enter the protected areas.
Illegal livestock incursions in the western border do not extend as far into the main protected area, as the region is relatively well patrolled. Consequently, the Eastern range is more significantly impacted than the Western range. The traditional northward migration of many animals, including wildebeests, has been abandoned as a consequence of the increased agricultural activities in the east and north. Consequently, they have opted for an alternative migration to the southwest region, which is characterized by substandard vegetation.
The Maasai region, which is partially protected, has experienced an increase in the number of humans and livestock. The land that was designated for environmentally favorable purposes has been converted into an agricultural area as a result of the adoption of farming practices by certain local residents.
The wildlife has been confined to the more protected western region, as a result of the pressure from all sides. The eastern region serves as a less hospitable buffer zone for wildlife. Consequently, the area that was previously occupied by fauna has been diminished to approximately half of its original size.
The sustainability of the ecosystem is a significant concern due to the increasing population of untamed animals in the Serengeti National Park. Although the increase in population is beneficial for tourists, the quality of grass and overgrazing are emergent issues of significant concern due to the poor soil.
Plants are unable to develop at the same rate as they did in previous years. The soil has a low carbon content due to the inability of plants to replenish organic matter in the food web due to their sluggish growth rate. Additionally, there has been a decrease in the number of microorganisms that contribute to the enrichment of soil nitrogen and phosphorus.
The quantity of precipitation has significantly decreased over the years. The number of wildebeests in the ecosystem has remained consistent over the years; however, this does not appear to be the case for an extended period.
Activities that occur in the vicinity of the protected area are therefore essential for the preservation of the animals’ livelihoods within these areas. Consequently, it is imperative for conservationists and authorities who are concerned to devise a method that will guarantee the peaceful coexistence of humans and fauna on a broader landscape.
Human activities pose a threat to the Serengeti ecosystem in Africa.
