Fire and Life in Tarangire: Effects of Burning and Herbivory on an East African Savanna System

Fire and Life in Tarangire: Effects of Burning and Herbivory on an East African Savanna System

This thesis investigates the effects of fire on quality and quantity of forage for grazers in the savannas of East Africa where fire has been used as a tool in pasture management for centuries. Hereby the mechanisms that cause the effects, as well as the manner in which the effects are influenced by abiotic conditions, are also discussed. Generally fire enhances the quality of forage with higher concentrations of mineral nutrients, higher digestibility and improved structural vegetation characteristics that determine forage intake. Increased nutrient concentrations in post-fire regrowth can be ascribed to higher leaf:stem ratios, rejuvenation and reduced dilution of nutrients due to lower levels of standing biomass as compared to unburned vegetation. Forage available for grazing is not enhanced through fire. Rather, especially in growth seasons of below average rainfall, the availability of forage is reduced in the post-fire growth season.

By: Claudius van de Vijver

Pages: 177

Dimensions: ± 24 cm x 16.5 cm

Softcover. Good condition. Some wear to cover corners. Previous ownership details on first page.