Effects of Fire Exclusion on Previously Fire-Managed Semiarid Savanna Ecosystem

Long-term (> 100 yr) fire exclusion is associated with numerous ecological consequences in grasslands and savannas, including transitions into shrub- or tree-dominated systems. Several studies have reported differences in woody vegetation after multiple fires among burned and unburned rangelands, but none have reported the impacts of fire exclusion after a period of fire management. We evaluated effects of fire exclusion on herbaceous and woody canopy cover and herbaceous biomass in semiarid savanna of southwest Texas in pastures with known burn histories. Pastures were burned in summer and winter in 1994, 2000, and 2006, followed by 11 yr of fire exclusion. Between 2006 and 2017, woody subcanopy increased (5–21%) in all treatments while overstory canopy remained unchanged. Herbaceous cover decreased (5–18%) in all treatments but remained higher in burned treatments. From 2006 to 2017, herbaceous biomass declined in all treatments by > 650 kg·ha⁻¹ and was not statistically different among treatments. These trends support other research demonstrating the importance of historical mean fire return interval in maintaining grasslands and savannas.     

The long-term effect of fire and grazing by wildlife on range condition in moist and arid savannas in the Kruger National Park

Few assessments of the effects of fire and grazing on the herbaceous components of savannas have been reported for Africa. In the Kruger National Park, South Africa, range condition was monitored at three savanna sites spanning a rainfall gradient of 450 to 700 mm and subject to grazing by wildlife. The sites were burnt at 1-, 2- and 3-year intervals, in different seasons and included a control treatment excluding fire for >40 years. Initial surveys of the herbaceous vegetation were conducted between 1954 and 1957 and repeated between 1998 and 2001. Grass species were categorised as either decreaser or increaser species, which decline or increase with over- or under-utilisation, respectively, and their potential to provide forage and fuel for fires indicative of range condition were derived. Range condition improved with regular burning in the moist sites, but deteriorated in the arid sites over all seasons and frequencies of burning. It is concluded that the current homogenous approach to burning across the Park needs to be adapted by reducing the frequency of fires at more arid sites and can be achieved by burning according to the proportions of decreaser and increaser species reflecting the ecological status of the herbaceous vegetation.     

Relations between woody and herbaceous components and the effects of bush‐clearing in southern African savannas

The relations between woody and herbaceous plants in southern African savannas are reviewed in the context of pastoral use. Current knowledge is summarized, important gaps are indicated and research priorities are suggested. Although all savannas consist of a grass and a woody component, the physical determinants, biological interactions and individual species properties are unique to each spatial and temporal situation. In addition, past management has resulted in different kinds and degrees of modification. Primary and secondary determinants are discussed in terms of how they influence the structure and productivity of savanna communities. More than one outcome is possible to any competitive interaction owing to the modification of the effects of determinants by changing weather sequences, asymmetrical competition and biological interactions. This contrasts sharply with the conventional rangeland succession model. Relations between woody and herbaceous plants are often discontinuous because of the dynamic interactions between determinants, plants and herbivory. There is an apparent discrepancy between the convex and concave response of grass productivity to increasing woody biomass. It is hypothesized that a single discontinuous function explains this apparent discrepancy. This unifying theorem accounts for the modifications due to changes in levels of determinants and different species mixes within and between sites. With a few notable exceptions, research in southern Africa has been of an ad hoc, empirical and limited nature. It has not aimed at achieving an understanding and a predictive capability beyond the site and circumstances of individual trials themselves. A case is made for a systems‐orientated research approach, so that site and situation‐specific problems can be solved to fulfil management objectives.     

The ecological potential of the kudu for commercial production in savanna regions

Abstract

This paper considers the choice of a browsing ungulate to supplement cattle in savanna regions susceptible to problems of bush encroachment, and evaluates the kudu in particular. Relevant aspects of its ecology considered include (i) the vegetation components utilized at different seasons and in different areas, with regard to principal food species, reserve dry season species, rejected plant species and potential food limitations; (ii) social grouping patterns and home range extent; (iii) population densities, reproductive parameters, survival rates and population dynamics in relation to rainfall; (iv) impact on the vegetation of browsing and branch breakage. Features of the kudu are compared with those of other browsing ungulates, including giraffe, eland, impala and goats. It is concluded that the kudu is a prime candidate for inclusion alongside cattle in mixed species ranching enterprises in most regions of savanna vegetation.     

科尔沁沙地草甸草场退化的原因与植物多样性变化

对科尔沁沙地典型草甸植被主要群落的优势种群在22年间的消长和物种多样性的变化进行了研究,分析了造成草场退化的主要原因。结果表明,科尔沁沙地草甸植被已出现了严重退化现象,物种多样性和均匀度下降,生态优势度上升。牧草产量和质量显著下降,优良牧草数量减少,适口性较差和有毒有害植物增加。造成草甸草场退化的主要原因有气候的暖干化、生境干旱化、土壤盐渍化和过度放牧,其中过度放牧是造成草甸植被退化的直接原因。分析了过度放牧对群落组成、生物量、物种多样性以及对建群种根茎中营养物质含量的影响等。     

Perspective article: Simulation models for semi‐arid rangelands of southern Africa

Abstract

In semi‐arid regions, the effects of grazing or sparing management on natural communities of long‐lived plants generally take decades to become evident. Event‐driven dynamic behaviour, unpredictable and low rainfall, and complicated interactions between species make it difficult to gather sufficient understanding of vegetation dynamics to be able to develop guidelines for sustainable management. Simulation models that consider the essential processes that determine vegetation dynamics offer scope for quantitatively exploring long‐term vegetation dynamics of arid and semi‐arid rangelands. In this paper we review three models that were aimed to provide an understanding of the vegetation dynamics and management of different typical vegetation types in South Africa, including the Karoo shrubland, the shrub‐grassland of the southern Kalahari, and pure semi‐arid grasslands.     

Classification of the grass layer of semi‐arid rangeland in the Smaldeel area of the eastern Cape

Abstract

Hierarchical classification based on proportional species composition of the grass layer was used to identify and classify semi‐arid rangeland into range types. The relation between range types produced by the classification and the environmental parameters measured were investigated using a two‐group, and a multi‐group stepwise linear discriminant function analysis. The first split of the TWINSPAN dendrogram separated savanna from open grassveld. The open grassveld was characterized by Themeda triandra, Microchloa caffra, Eragrostis capensis and E. plana and the savanna by Setaria neglecta, Sporobolus fimbri atus,Panicum stapfianum and Cymbopogon plurinodis. The two range types were best discriminated by rainfall, soil depth and altitude with sites in the grassveld corresponding to deep soils and receiving rainfall of more than 450 mm a^‐1, and sites in savanna corresponding to shallow soils and receiving rainfall of 400–500 mm a^‐1. Further divisions within these two range types were related to soil textural and chemical characteristics of the A‐horizon. Multi‐group discriminant function analysis identified eight environmental variables which best discriminate between range types at level 3 of the hierarchical dendrogram. Rainfall, soil depth and altitude were selected as the most important environmental variables discriminating between range types. Reclassification by discriminant analysis using the eight selected environmental factors resulted in a 67% concurrence with range types. It is proposed that the area be stratified on the basis of the current classification for monitoring and management purposes.     

Identification and selection of benchmark sites on litholitic soils of the western grassland biome of South Africa

Abstract

An approach to identify benchmarks for different ecological situations in the grassland biome is described. The approach is illustrated by using information on vegetation change, role of habitat factors and the relative palatability differences between the species of the vegetation on shallow soils of the litholitic complexes in the western parts of the grassland biome. The information was obtained from the ordination and interpretation of vegetation and habitat data gathered at different distances from watering points and in vegetation under different grazing pressures.     

The Rise of Conservation in South Africa: Settlers,Livestock and the Environment 1770–1950 — William Beinart 2003

The hump-back relationship between species diversity and productivity predicts highest species richness at intermediate levels of biomass, and low species numbers in least and most productive habitats. Sodic patches of semi-arid savannas are considered ‘nutrient hotspots’ by producing high-quality forage. The impact of biomass reduction (due to overgrazing) and accumulation (in the absence of herbivores) on herbaceous species richness and diversity is still unknown for these hotspots. We tested the relationship between biomass and herbaceous species richness/diversity in savanna sodic sites across varying biomass levels obtained through different herbivore exclosures. LOWESS and quadratic regression analyses revealed a unimodal species richness/ diversity–biomass relationship for biomass <2 500?kg ha?1. Species richness and diversity in the sodic zone peaked at 1 300?kg ha?1, followed by a steady decline. At biomass levels exceeding 2 500?kg ha?1, i.e. where herbivores have been excluded for 10 years, the decline in species richness and diversity stabilised. Despite many debates surrounding unimodal relationships and the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, this study confirmed a peak in species richness and diversity at intermediate biomass levels in a herbivory-adapted ecosystem. Herbivores drive ecosystem heterogeneity and enhance herbaceous species richness and diversity by keeping biomass at intermediate levels (i.e. <2 500?kg ha?1 for this sodic site).     

Book Review

Agricultural landscapes are typically associated with a decreased biodiversity, particularly when they extend across large spatial scales. Despite the fact that some African bat species seem to provide essential ecosystem services across landscapes, we only have a limited understanding of how intensive agricultural practices influence bat communities. This study investigated the effects of sugarcane monoculture on the composition of both bat species and functional groups across a conservation-agricultural matrix. Specifically, we wanted to understand changes in the bat communities within savannas and sugarcane plantations. We categorised bats into broad foraging (functional) groups based on their echolocation call structure: open-air; clutter-edge; and, clutter. To measure bat activity, we established twelve 25 ha grids randomly located in savanna and sugarcane vegetation. Within each grid we placed nine acoustic detectors, in 3 × 3 formation, 250 m apart; totalling 54 plots in each land use. We sampled each plot over four nights (two in the wet season and two in the dry season) during a one-year period. We did not observe a significant difference in species richness between savanna and sugarcane. However, there was a difference in functional group composition. Sugarcane negatively affected clutter foragers; this group was practically absent here despite occurring within neighbouring savannas. We observed distinct patterns of seasonality in bat activity, with activity of all functional groups being reduced in the dry season.     

The impact of grazing on forage quality of the herbaceous vegetation in the Mamora cork oak forest,Morocco

Abstract

This research was conducted in the Mamora cork oak forest of Morocco to describe the impacts of sheep grazing (no use, 35% use, 70% use) in March, April, May and June of 1987 and 1988 on seasonal changes in forage quality of the herbaceous vegetation. The study showed that trends in herbage quality were related mainly to plant maturity. As more species mature, forage quality declines and falls below animal nutritional requirements, especially for young animals. With declining forage quality, the manager has the option of moving stock to areas of less‐mature forage, supplementing the forage or modifying the demand placed upon it.     

Controlling bush encroachment with fire in the savanna areas of South Africa

The savanna areas of South Africa can be divided into the moist and arid savanna types according to the availability of soil moisture. Bush encroachment is a serious veld management problem in all the savanna areas and veld burning is a potential eradication technique in situations with an adequate grass cover to support an intense fire. In the moist savannas fire per se can be used to control bush encroachment but in the arid savannas it has the role of maintaining trees and shrubs at an available height and in acceptable state for browsing animals. Intense head fires applied at the end of the dormant season are used for bush eradication. The frequency of burning is relatively high in the moist savannas but is very low in the arid savannas, being usually limited to years with above average rainfall when adequate grass fuel loads can be accumulated. Veld burning provides an attractive economic and energy saving technique of solving the problem of bush encroachment in the savanna areas of South Africa.     

Changing perceptions of fire management in savanna parks

Parks are managed to preserve their pristine state. Fire has had a varied role in this, depending on shifting paradigms of savanna functioning. Formerly, an equilibrium theory of functioning prevailed where fire was at first an unavoidable evil, and then an evil to be avoided as far as possible. Subsequently, fire was regarded as natural and was applied with fixed return period and seasonal timing to compartments with fixed boundaries. Recently, non‐equilibrium theory has supplemented equilibrium models in explaining a savanna functioning that is partly event‐driven. In these terms savannas are understood to have high patch diversity arising from catenal variation, species individuality and the spatio‐temporal variability of events. Policy and practice in fire management is accordingly shifting towards regarding fire parameters (e.g. return period, seasonal timing, intensity and extent) not as scalars but as vectors (i.e. with frequency distributions), and to burning under diverse conditions.     

Rangeland Health Assessment: A Useful Tool for Linking Range Management and Grassland Bird Conservation?

Large-scale loss and degradation of North American native prairie coupled with sharp declines in grassland bird populations call for a clear understanding of the effects of livestock production on bird habitat selection. Grassland birds typically select breeding habitat based on a suite of structural and community vegetation features shaped by grazing. Rangeland health indices are a tool for assessing grassland structure and community composition that may offer biologists and range managers common language to achieve grassland bird recovery goals. We used point-count surveys, vegetation measures, and indices of rangeland health to examine bird-habitat relationships on native grassland in southwestern Saskatchewan for 10 grassland bird species. We used an information theoretic approach to compare the support of three hypotheses explaining variation in bird abundance as a function of local vegetation characteristics: bird abundance is best explained by 1) vegetation structure, 2) vegetation structure heterogeneity, or 3) plant community. Vegetation structure variables were present in top-ranking models (i.e., models within four Akaike information criterion units of top model) for eight species and solely comprised top-ranking models for Baird’s sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), chestnut-collared longspur (Calcarius ornatus), horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), McCown’s longspur (Rhynchophanes mccownii), and savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). Structural heterogeneity variables were present in top-ranked models for grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), and western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). Plant composition variables solely comprised top-ranking models for clay-colored sparrow (Spizella pallida) and were present in top-ranked models for grasshopper sparrow and vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus). Our results indicate that vegetation structure variables, namely litter mass, vegetation volume, and bare ground cover, best explain variation in bird abundance. Although the rangeland health index received little support as a predictor of bird abundance, vegetation structure components of the index could be used to communicate grazing management guidelines that maintain grassland bird habitat.     

岷江上游山地牧道对林下草本群落分布特征的影响

以岷江上游干旱河谷/山地森林交错带的林下草本层植物群落为研究对象,以牧道为切入点,通过跟踪放牧和样方调查,应用关联和典范对应分析方法探讨山地牧道与草本层群落分布特征的关系。结果表明,牧道样地草本层中耐践踏的菊科占绝对优势,禾本科和豆科植物较少,说明长期放牧下草本层植被有退化趋势。通过9个优势种种间关联分析发现,野艾蒿和老芒麦代表了人工林样地群落特征,黄花蒿、紫苜蓿等其他7种优势种代表了灌丛样地特征,各优势种均表现出环境适应的趋同性和彼此的相似性。牧道分割增加了草本层植物群落分布的异质性,牧道格局指数与草地质量指数基本呈负相关变化规律,而牧道密度与草地质量指数之间的相关性不明显,牧道密度和牧道格局具有一定的指示草地退化的作用,但相互关系复杂。通过CCA排序可知,乔灌层盖度是影响草本层植物分布的最重要因素,其次为牧道密度,坡度和坡位对其分布也有一定的影响。     

Effect of long-term exclusion of fire and herbivory on the soils and vegetation of sour grassland

The effect of long-term exclusion of fire and herbivory, as mediated by aspect, on soils and the structure, composition, and diversity of vegetation was investigated in Döhne Sourveld (34 years), Piet-Retief Sourveld (45 years) and Southern Tall Grassveld (49 years). Exclusion had no effect on the soil chemistry of the surface 15 cm of soil in Dohne and Piet Retief Sourveld. Exclusion promoted the ingress of woody elements, including heath-like species, but the extent of ingress was related to water availability (rainfall, aspect), proximity of propagules, duration of protection, and accidental fires. Alien invasive woody species, in particular Acacia mearnsii established at all sites. Woody species were mostly bird- or wind dispersed, some had no known nearby population, although some Acacia species were herbivore-dispersed. The wettest grassland, Piet Retief Sourveld on a southern aspect, was transformed to a shrubland matrix (mainly Helichrysum splendidum) with tree clumps of forest precursor species (Rhus dentata, Halleria lucida, Myrsine africana, Buddleja salviifolia, Leucosidea sericea) and A. mearnsii. A species-rich grassland on the northern aspect had become dominated by tall Hyparrhenia rufa, with scattered shrubs of L. sericea and Helichrysum rogulosum. The southern aspect exclosure in Döhne Sourveld had developed an A. mearnsii - B. salviifolia savanna, with Cymbopogon excavatus, Themeda triandra and Tristachya leucothrix as common grasses. The northern aspect exclosure on Döhne Sourveld maintained a grassland character, although heath-like elements (Stoebe vulgaris, Erica aspalanthifolia) established. Protection of the Southern Tall Grassveld promoted an open savanna of exotic and indigenous Acacia and broadleaf species, an increase in life forms including the succulent Aloe maculata, and the transformation of a T. triandra - T. leucothrix sward to an Aristida junciformis sward. Ferns benefitted from exclusion of fire and herbivory. Fire and herbivory rather than soil properties would seem the primary determinants of the structure of sour grasslands.     

Long-Term Effects of Fire,Livestock Herbivory Removal,and Weather Variability in Texas Semiarid Savanna

We examined how the occurrence and structure of grasses and woody plants changed after 12 yr of a fire season manipulation and removal of livestock herbivores. Applying high intensity fires in the summer preserved the structural integrity of this semiarid live oak (Quercus virginiana Mill.) savanna while decreasing or eliminating numerous problematic plants in the understory and overstory, such as prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.), sacahuista (Nolina texana S. Watson), Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei J. Buchholz), Pinchot's juniper (J. pinchotii Sudw.), and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.). In the less intense repeat winter burning treatments, undesirable woody plants were generally maintained at pretreatment levels in the overstory but all woody plants except Ashe juniper increased in the understory. Alternatively, areas excluded from fire in the control treatment rapidly transitioned from a grass-tree codominated savanna environment to one that is heavily dominated by woody plants. In the grass community, the most frequently occurring grass species in the winter burn treatment differed from summer burn and control treatments, whereas the summer burn treatment was not different from the control. Of the herbaceous plants, only little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium &lsqb;Michx.] Nash) responded to fire treatments. Little bluestem increased in the winter burn treatment, remained fairly constant in the summer burn treatment, and decreased in the control. Other grasses varied largely as a function of annual weather variability, the removal of livestock, and legacy effects resulting from pre-existing variability. These findings suggest that fire can reduce or eliminate woody plant species that threaten the stability of live oak savannas while having little long-term effect on grasses desired by rangeland managers.     

Vegetation Response to Mowing Dense Mountain Big Sagebrush Stands

A decrease in fire frequency and past grazing practices has led to dense mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. subsp. vaseyana [Rydb.] Beetle) stands with reduced herbaceous understories. To reverse this trend, sagebrush-reducing treatments often are applied with the goal of increasing herbaceous vegetation. Mechanical mowing is a sagebrush-reducing treatment that commonly is applied; however, information detailing vegetation responses to mowing treatments generally are lacking. Specifically, information is needed to determine whether projected increases in perennial grasses and forbs are realized and how exotic annual grasses respond to mowing treatments. To answer these questions, we evaluated vegetation responses to mowing treatments in mountain big sagebrush plant communities at eight sites. Mowing was implemented in the fall of 2007 and vegetation characteristics were measured for 3 yr post-treatment. In the first growing season post-treatment, there were few vegetation differences between the mowed treatment and untreated control (P > 0.05), other than sagebrush cover being reduced from 28% to 3% with mowing (P < 0.001). By the second growing season post-treatment, perennial grass, annual forb, and total herbaceous vegetation were generally greater in the mowed than control treatment (P < 0.05). Total herbaceous vegetation production was increased 1.7-fold and 1.5-fold with mowing in the second and third growing seasons, respectively (P < 0.001). However, not all plant functional groups increased with mowing. Perennial forbs and exotic annual grasses did not respond to the mowing treatment (P > 0.05). These results suggest that the abundance of sagebrush might not be the factor limiting some herbaceous plant functional groups, or they respond slowly to sagebrush-removing disturbances. However, this study suggests that mowing can be used to increase herbaceous vegetation and decrease sagebrush in some mountain big sagebrush plant communities without promoting exotic annual grass invasion.     

Effect of management on rangeland phytomass,cover and condition in two biomes in South Africa

In rangelands, grazing management is a main driver of rangeland condition. Due to masking effects of seasonal climate fluctuations, little is known about (dis)similarity of management effects on rangeland condition and forage provision across major dryland biomes. Taking a macro-ecological perspective, we analysed if management effects differed between South Africa’s central grassland and Kalahari savanna biomes. We recorded proxies of forage provision (phytomass, vegetation cover and their ratio) over five seasons, annual rainfall to account for seasonal climate fluctuations, and rangeland condition (through relative abundances of increaser and decreaser species). Regarding forage provision, we found effects of management for the savanna, where, irrespective of rainfall, rotational grazing management resulted in higher phytomass and phytomass–cover ratios than management with continuous grazing. In the grassland, however, this difference was only discernible for phytomass–cover ratio in two years with above-average antecedent rainfall. This suggests that management effects are biome-dependent and that modulating effects of annual rainfall are stronger in the grassland. In either biome, management effects on the dominance of increaser and decreaser species were negligible, i.e. rangeland condition did not differ across management types in either biome. We conclude that investigations on management effects should account for interactions with biome and rainfall.     

Die invloed van die beskikbaarheid van nutriënte en ontblaringsbestuur op die produksie van digitar1a Eriantha variëteit Eriantha

The influence of heavy grazing by cattle for three years, and of rainfall interception for one year, on the herbaceous composition of a sandveld savanna in Gazankulu was investigated. The composition and the abundance of the predominant species changed substantially, owing mainly to rainfall. Pogonarthria squarrosa, considered to increase under grazing, was initially the most abundant species, but declined most rapidly on the heavily‐grazed, rainfall interception treatment, owing to a high mortality. Digitaria eriantha increased markedly on the heavily‐grazed treatment, despite up to a 24% tuft mortality, because of extensive vegetative recruitment from stoloniferous growth. Aristida congesta subsp. barbicollis and Aristida stipitata, considered to increase under heavy grazing, increased on the lightly‐grazed treatment. There was an explosion of annual forbs, predominantly Tephrosia purpurea, Indigofera costata and Cassia absus, in the third year. The trend of rainfall during the study, initially wet and successively drier, apparently had a greater influence on compositional trends than the imposed treatments.