The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a global coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that is a primary driver of inter-annual variability in the rainfall and consequently the vegetation production of southern African rangelands. Evidence from the Kruger National Park shows the strong relationship between the ENSO episodes (droughts during El Niño and high rainfall during La Niña episodes), rainfall, grass production and satellite time-series data of vegetation activity. El Niño conditions have lead to the devastating droughts in 1991-92, 1997-98 and 2002-2003 while La Niña conditions lead to very high vegetation production (1995-96 and 1998-99), but also flooding (1999-2000). This chapter briefly discusses the management implication for the park and neighbouring communal areas
Reference:
Observations on environmental change in South Africa, edited by Larry Zietsman, Published SUN MeDIA Stellenbosch
Wessels, K. J., & Dwyer, P. (2011). Impact of ENSO events on the Kruger National Park’s vegetation., Workflow request;7229 SUN MeDIA Stellenbosch. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/5172
Wessels, Konrad J, and PC Dwyer. "Impact of ENSO events on the Kruger National Park’s vegetation" In WORKFLOW REQUEST;7229, n.p.: SUN MeDIA Stellenbosch. 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/5172.
Wessels KJ, Dwyer P. Impact of ENSO events on the Kruger National Park’s vegetation.. Workflow request;7229. [place unknown]: SUN MeDIA Stellenbosch; 2011. [cited yyyy month dd]. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/5172.