The influence of fire presence and absence on grass species composition and species richness at Mountain Zebra National Park
Koedoe - African Protected Area Conservation and Science
| Field | Value | |
| Title | The influence of fire presence and absence on grass species composition and species richness at Mountain Zebra National Park | |
| Creator | Munyai, Nthabe Ramoelo, Abel Adelabu, Samuel Bezuidenhout, Hugo | |
| Description | It is well known that fire is a common driver in many biomes and it plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem functioning in many South African biomes. This ecosystem process is an important determinant of plant community composition and diversity, and can result in changes in structural composition and ecosystem functioning. The main objectives of thisstudy are to determine the influence of fire on grass species richness, diversity and composition in Mountain Zebra National Park. Using satellite imagery, the park’s fire history was determined between 2000 and 2020. Eighty plots (approximately 20 m × 20 m; 100 m apart) were laid out purposively across different fire regimes. There was no significant difference in both species richness and diversity in burned and unburned sites. However, there was a difference in species composition between burned and unburned sites and between different fire frequencies. The unburned site had higher moribund material and unpalatable grasses compared to the burned area.Conservation implications: The results of this study will help in the completion of the fire management plan for the park which will enable conservation managers to make better decisions with regard to fire management in mountainous grassland at Mountain Zebra National Park. Consequently, this will lead to improved veld condition and vegetationstructure. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS Publishing | |
| Date | 2023-04-26 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/koedoe.v65i1.1738 | |
| Source | Koedoe; Vol 65, No 1 (2023); 7 pages 2071-0771 0075-6458 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/1738/3028
https://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/1738/3029
https://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/1738/3030
https://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/1738/3031
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