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How do wet and dry seasons shape the migrations of African mammals?
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Migration
A herd of common wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) migrating across a dusty savanna in Africa. The animal is a keystone species (i.e., a species with a disproportionately large effect on its biological community) in plains and acacia savanna ecosystems from southeastern Africa to central Kenya.
In African ecosystems, the succession of wet and dry seasons is a primary driver of migration for many large mammals, as these climatic shifts fundamentally alter the availability of food and water.12
During the wet season, vegetation becomes lush and food is abundant, allowing herds to spread outward across the landscape. As the dry season progresses and green vegetation disappears, these animals must move to find sufficient resources. The specific patterns of these movements include:12
- Concentration: Many species, such as wildebeests and zebras in the Serengeti, concentrate around remaining water holes as the dry season intensifies.1
- Wandering: Animals like elephants travel great distances to locate the best available food and water supplies.1
- Historical Patterns: In southern Africa, springbok once undertook massive migrations dictated by rainfall rhythms, moving in dense herds across vast ranges.1
These seasonal movements are essential survival strategies, as they allow populations to track shifting resources in environments where moisture is often inadequate for year-round growth.2