Savanna ecosystems are globally widespread and provide ecosystem services ranging from carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, to tourism. The structure, function, and ecosystem services associated with savannas are dependent on co-existence between trees and grasses and are mediated by complex interactions between climate, fire, and herbivory. These complexities make predicting the responses of savannas to global change and degradation a challenge. For instance, it remains unclear if climate change will push savannas to a more treeless or more wooded state. Moreover, savanna ecosystems are among the least protected globally and are threatened by land use conversion and degradation, biological invasion, changes in fire regimes, and large-scale tree planting. Understanding the drivers of changes in the savanna ecosystem globally is important for effective policies on their conservation, management, and utilization.

Our symposium will focus on exploring the drivers of change across the savanna ecosystem globally. Invited speakers will present state-of-the-art research to broaden the current understanding of the ecology of savanna ecosystems, highlight trends and dynamics of drivers of change in savannas, explore the potential implication of climate change on savannas, and identify research priorities for enhancing resilience of savanna ecosystems to global change. We will be inviting a unique blend of speakers, including top global scientists (e.g., Prof. Carla Staver, Prof. Kate Parr) and early career scientists (postdocs, e.g., Dr. Fezile Mtsetfwa, Dr. Juliana Teixeira, and Ph.D. candidates, e.g. Ms. Joana Awuah  Mr. Tatenda Gotore) and strong geographical representation of all major savannas (Africa, Asia, India, Australia, South, and North America). We expect our symposium to be attended by practitioners, industry professionals, and scientists working in both savannas and other ecosystems. The goal of this session is to build a diverse community within ATBC interested in revealing and discussing the complexity and the role of savannas in a changing world.