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      Woody cover in wet and dry African savannas after six decades of experimental fires

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      Devine et al-JEcol_.docx (172.2Kb)
      Date
      2015-01-09
      Author
      Devine, AP
      Stott, I
      Mcdonald, RA
      Maclean, IMD
      Date issued
      2015-01-09
      Journal
      Journal of Ecology
      Type
      Article
      Language
      en
      Publisher
      Wiley for British Ecological Society
      Abstract
      Summary: Fire is an integral process in savannas because it plays a crucial role in altering woody cover of this globally important biome. In this study, we examine the long-term effects of varying fire frequencies over a 60-year time period in South Africa. We analyse the effects of fire exclusion and of experimental burns every 1, 2 and 3 years on woody cover, tree abundance and stem structure on a wet and dry savanna. Increased fire frequency did not display a consistent effect on woody cover. The presence of fire, irrespective of frequency, was much more influential in lowering tree abundance in the wet savanna than the dry savanna. In the dry savanna, fire was more effective in greatly increasing coppicing in trees, when compared to the wet savannas. Synthesis. The effects of fire on three measures of savanna woody vegetation differed between wet and dry experimental sites. We suggest that vegetation responses to fire are dependent on local conditions, which are likely influenced by rainfall. Therefore, we suggest that management strategies should take account of whether a savanna is a wet or dry system when implementing fire management regimes. We examined the effects of varying fire frequencies over a 60-year time period upon woody vegetation on a wet and dry savanna. We suggest that vegetation responses to fire are influenced by regional differences in rainfall. Therefore, management strategies should take account of whether a savanna is a wet or dry system when implementing fire management regimes.
      Funders/Sponsor
      This work was funded by NERC (NE/I528334/1).
      Description
      This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record
      Citation
      Vol. 103 (2), pp. 473 - 478
      DOI
      https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12367
      URI
      http://hdl.handle.net/10871/31291
      ISSN
      0022-0477
      Collections
      • Biosciences

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