Man's major impact in the formation of grassland, through the use of fire, has largely been in the last 3,000 years. Man learned that fresh growth sprouted from the ashes of fires started by lightening. To stimulate grass growth for their cattle, [G 35 / pastoralists] began setting fires before the rains came. However, rains were unpredictable causing the fires to rage uncontrollably across the grasslands as well as the woodlands.
Today, the practice of burning continues within the ecosystem for different reasons. Pastoral and agricultural tribes living around the protected areas of the Serengeti National Park and [P 009 / Masai Mara] Game Reserve burn their rangelands and fires often sweep through portions of the park and reserve. Poachers, cattle rustlers and illegal grazers set fires within protected areas to cover their tracks.
