Tropical savannas: Biomass, plant ecology, and the role of fire and soil on vegetation

Four major themes can be identified over the period 2008-2009: (1) the increasing use, sophistication and resolution of remote sensing techniques and the application of these methods to assessment of biomass, C-balance and biosphere-atmosphere interactions; (2) continued interest in dynamic change processes affecting individual species and plant communities, and the changing proportions of tree, shrub and herbaceous components; (3) the nature, impact and management of fire; and (4) increasing awareness of the importance of soils and soil moisture in shaping the nature and distribution of vegetation, particularly at local scales.