Articles | Volume 22, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1597-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1597-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Precipitation–fire functional interactions control biomass stocks and carbon exchanges across the world's largest savanna
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
David T. Milodowski
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
T. Luke Smallman
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
Kyle G. Dexter
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
Gabi C. Hegerl
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
Iain M. McNicol
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
Michael O'Sullivan
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK
Carla M. Roesch
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
Casey M. Ryan
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
Stephen Sitch
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QF, UK
Aude Valade
UMR Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Biogéochimie des Sols et Agroécosystèmes, 34090 Montpellier, France
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Cited
9 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Wildfire risk assessment and hotspot analysis in an African savanna ecosystem: the Eastern Okavango Panhandle, Botswana P. Mashaire et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2026.1797690
- Deep Koopman operators for causal discovery J. Nathaniel et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02426-1
- A review of carbon dynamics and REDD+ projects in the Miombo Ecoregion, Africa: opportunities and challenges K. Kapinga et al. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF25053
- Forest Cover Dynamics and Socio-Ecological Drivers in the Okwangwo Division of Cross River-National Park, Nigeria (1987–2022) S. Mashi et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/10549811.2026.2666519
- Approaches, challenges and applications of climate change impact attribution S. Undorf et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-026-00798-8
- Precipitation regimes influence differently the biogeochemical cycles of the tropical dry forest I. Jasso-Flores et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2025.110880
- Fire Impacts, vegetation Recovery, and environmental drivers in West African savannas (2014–2023): A High-Resolution remote sensing assessment B. Ouattara et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2025.104783
- Effects of prescribed fire on plant α- and ꞵ-diversity and the regulating role of soil in a mesquite-oak savanna X. Jaime et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-025-02259-x
- Spatiotemporal patterns of forest fires in the Eastern Okavango Panhandle, Botswana: Implications for vegetation cover and forest management P. Mashaire et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2026.123679
9 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Wildfire risk assessment and hotspot analysis in an African savanna ecosystem: the Eastern Okavango Panhandle, Botswana P. Mashaire et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2026.1797690
- Deep Koopman operators for causal discovery J. Nathaniel et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02426-1
- A review of carbon dynamics and REDD+ projects in the Miombo Ecoregion, Africa: opportunities and challenges K. Kapinga et al. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF25053
- Forest Cover Dynamics and Socio-Ecological Drivers in the Okwangwo Division of Cross River-National Park, Nigeria (1987–2022) S. Mashi et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/10549811.2026.2666519
- Approaches, challenges and applications of climate change impact attribution S. Undorf et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-026-00798-8
- Precipitation regimes influence differently the biogeochemical cycles of the tropical dry forest I. Jasso-Flores et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2025.110880
- Fire Impacts, vegetation Recovery, and environmental drivers in West African savannas (2014–2023): A High-Resolution remote sensing assessment B. Ouattara et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2025.104783
- Effects of prescribed fire on plant α- and ꞵ-diversity and the regulating role of soil in a mesquite-oak savanna X. Jaime et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-025-02259-x
- Spatiotemporal patterns of forest fires in the Eastern Okavango Panhandle, Botswana: Implications for vegetation cover and forest management P. Mashaire et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2026.123679
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 23 Jun 2026
Short summary
Southern African woodlands are important in both regional and global carbon cycles. A new carbon analysis created by combining satellite data with ecosystem modelling shows that the region has a neutral C balance overall but with important spatial variations. Patterns of biomass and C balance across the region are the outcome of climate controls on production and vegetation–fire interactions, which determine the mortality of vegetation and spatial variations in vegetation function.
Southern African woodlands are important in both regional and global carbon cycles. A new carbon...
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