Description of a fire and its effects in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve: a synthesis report

Abstract

This report synthesizes information gained from a study of an experimental fire ignited in an 182 ha portion of the Savanna Ecosystem Project study area in early September 1978. Three smaller fires, each covering 1 ha within this area, were ignited immediately before the main fire so that the behaviour of the fire could be more readily assessed. This also provided an opportunity to study the effects of different rates of spread of the fire (and thus, indirectly, different fire intensities) on the woody vegetation and its subsequent recovery. Descriptions are also given of the postfire environment, the immediate and short-term effects of the fire on vegetation structure and on various animal populations, the postfire recovery of woody and herbaceous plants, and the responses of the animal populations to the fire and the postfire environment.