@Kasz, what I am seeing on that map is a lot of understory fires (which means everything under the trees burning not necessarily the trees). Forest is good for cover but there isn't that much that grows under big trees (the sunlight being blocked). So forest aren't really that productive when it comes to food for animals. Forest mainly just provides cover from the elements for most animals and some habitat (owls, etc).
"A savanna, or savannah, is a grassland ecosystem characterized by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to support an unbroken herbaceous layer consisting primarily of grasses."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savanna
So would you rather have a bunch of trees covering the entire canopy blocking out light to prevent grass and shrubs growing? Or would you rather have something that provides a little cover with actual food for animals. Old growth forest are important but they don't really provide anything but cover.
I have a BS (bullshit) degree in Wildlife Management.. I might not know everything but I believe I know more about nature than you.
