4. Ngorongoro Crater
Located in the Crater Highlands of Northern
Tanzania.
The worldâs largest inactive volcanic caldera
containing the largest density of wild animals
in Africa.
7. Crater Environment
Nutrient rich soils from itâs volcanic past.
Receives water from highland springs and
rainfall that collects on the crater rim.
8. Crater Environment
Nutrient rich soils from itâs volcanic past.
Receives water from highland springs and
rainfall that collects on the crater rim.
Large savannah marked by
grassland,woodland, swamps, and a salt lake.
20. Animals within the Crater
Herbivores consist mostly of wildebeest, zebra,
gazelle, and water buffalo. Rhinoceros,
hippopotamus, and elephant are present in
smaller numbers.
21. Animals within the Crater
Herbivores consist mostly of wildebeest, zebra,
gazelle, and water buffalo. Rhinoceros,
hippopotamus, and elephant are present in
smaller numbers.
Carnivores consist of lions and spotted hyena.
24. Herbivores
Close to 25,000 herbivores with wildebeest
making up two-thirds of the herbivore
population.
Some herbivores migrate out seasonally to the
Serengeti.
29. Carnivores
Consist of prides of lions and clans of spotted
hyenas.
Little to no emigration outside of the crater.
30. Carnivores
Consist of prides of lions and clans of spotted
hyenas.
Little to no emigration outside of the crater.
Crater ïŹoor divided up by 7 lion prides and 8
hyena clans.
34. Parasites, Diseases, &
Epidemics
1962: Heavy rains led to an outbreak of biting
ïŹies reducing lion population from 67 to 13
individuals.
35. Parasites, Diseases, &
Epidemics
1962: Heavy rains led to an outbreak of biting
ïŹies reducing lion population from 67 to 13
individuals.
Lions developed skin infections that prevented
them from hunting prey.
36. Parasites, Diseases, &
Epidemics
1962: Heavy rains led to an outbreak of biting
ïŹies reducing lion population from 67 to 13
individuals.
Lions developed skin infections that prevented
them from hunting prey.
2001-2002: Heavy rains led to another biting ïŹy
outbreak and a tick outbreak. An outbreak of
Canine Distemper Virus also followed.
37. Parasites, Diseases, &
Epidemics
1962: Heavy rains led to an outbreak of biting
ïŹies reducing lion population from 67 to 13
individuals.
Lions developed skin infections that prevented
them from hunting prey.
2001-2002: Heavy rains led to another biting ïŹy
outbreak and a tick outbreak. An outbreak of
Canine Distemper Virus also followed.
Both herbivores and carnivores died as a
result of the outbreaks.
39. Humans and the Crater
Ecosystem
Native Maasai pastoralists inhabited the area
until they were relocated for tourism in 1974.
40. Humans and the Crater
Ecosystem
Native Maasai pastoralists inhabited the area
until they were relocated for tourism in 1974.
Practiced burning of tall grasses in the crater
for their livestock.
41.
42. The removal of the Maasai and their farming
practiced caused a reduction in the wildebeest
populations and an increase in the water
buffalo populations.
43. The removal of the Maasai and their farming
practiced caused a reduction in the wildebeest
populations and an increase in the water
buffalo populations.
Areas that were formally burned by the
pastoralists were found to have large densities
of ticks after the relocation and heavy rains.
45. Limitations on Animal
Populations
Carnivores limited in
population size based on
territory and density-
dependent reproductive
rates.
46. Limitations on Animal
Populations
Carnivores limited in
population size based on
territory and density-
dependent reproductive
rates.
High density of herbivores
provides enough food,
however lions show higher
food intake and reproductive
output under smaller
population conditions.
49. Predators beneïŹt
from droughts in
that it leaves more
herbivores in weak
conditions.
Lions believed to have reached carrying
capacity in 1983 at 124 individuals.
50. Predators beneïŹt
from droughts in
that it leaves more
herbivores in weak
conditions.
Lions believed to have reached carrying
capacity in 1983 at 124 individuals.
Lions consumed less food and had lower
reproductive rates at this high density
compared to previous lower densities.
51.
52. Most herbivore populations are not likely to reach
carrying capacity because of seasonal migrations and
plentiful vegetation.
53. Most herbivore populations are not likely to reach
carrying capacity because of seasonal migrations and
plentiful vegetation.
Water buffalo proved to be most vulnerable to drought.
Large declines after drought indicate that the water
buffalo were close to carrying capacity.
56. Review
Seasonal rainfall variations causes little to no changes in animal
populations.
Migration accounts for some differences in herbivore populations
and prevents vegetation from being decimated from browsing.
57. Review
Seasonal rainfall variations causes little to no changes in animal
populations.
Migration accounts for some differences in herbivore populations
and prevents vegetation from being decimated from browsing.
Carnivore populations are regulated through territory sizes,
densities of weak or sick prey, and the conditions of neighboring
predators.
58. Review
Seasonal rainfall variations causes little to no changes in animal
populations.
Migration accounts for some differences in herbivore populations
and prevents vegetation from being decimated from browsing.
Carnivore populations are regulated through territory sizes,
densities of weak or sick prey, and the conditions of neighboring
predators.
Large population changes are a result of major droughts, parasite
and disease outbreaks, and changes in the composition of
vegetation.
59. Review
Seasonal rainfall variations causes little to no changes in animal
populations.
Migration accounts for some differences in herbivore populations
and prevents vegetation from being decimated from browsing.
Carnivore populations are regulated through territory sizes,
densities of weak or sick prey, and the conditions of neighboring
predators.
Large population changes are a result of major droughts, parasite
and disease outbreaks, and changes in the composition of
vegetation.
The crater provides an ecosystem that is plentiful in resources
compared to areas such as the Serengeti where populations are
consistently struggling to survive.
