Evolving fire management strategies and their impact on the occurrence and spatial extent of unplanned wildfires in a large African savanna park

Stephen A Midzi,Tercia Strydom

doi:10.14195/1647-7723_26-1_2

Abstract

Savannas cover approximately 20 % of the global land surface. In African savannas, fire is an important agent for controlling these ecosystems. Kruger National Park (KNP) is a large African savanna park which has implemented a variety of fire management strategies over the years. Using KNP’s recorded fire history (from 1941-2017), we examined the occurrence and spatial extent of accidental wildfires in KNP in relation to adaptations in the fire management strategies over time. From 1941 to 2017 fires were a regular, almost annual occurrence in KNP. However, fuel loads accumulate over time when fires are extinguished or controlled burning in these landscapes is prevented, and the result is a substantial amount of combustible material to support large unplanned wildfires. Therefore, fire management strategies influence the occurrence and spatial extent of unplanned wildfires in African savannas. Prescribed burning is a critical management tool which should be used in fire-prone landscapes, however, research is needed to determine the appropriate fire regime needed to manage a fire-driven system.

Highlights

20 % of the earth’s land surface is covered by Savannas which are characterized by a balanced mix of woodland and grassland (Scholes & Archer, 1997; Sankaran, Ratnam, & Hanan, 2004)
Between 1941 and 1980, the fire management strategy in Kruger National Park (KNP) had gone through three distinct phases, i.e. No Strategy during 1941-1947, Fire Suppression during
Fires are inevitable in these fire-driven savanna landscapes and will occur on an annual basis in various parts of KNP, except in extremely low rainfall years

Summary

Introduction

20 % of the earth’s land surface is covered by Savannas which are characterized by a balanced mix of woodland and grassland (Scholes & Archer, 1997; Sankaran, Ratnam, & Hanan, 2004). Savannas are found 20 in South America, India and Australia whilst the largest proportion is found in Africa (van Wilgen, 2009). These dynamic systems support a large proportion of the world’s human population along with their rangelands, livestock and wildlife (Scholes & Archer, 1997; Sankaran et al, 2005). African savannas are driven by fluctuations in rainfall, herbivory, nutrients and fires (Walker & Noy-Meir, 1982; Sankaran et al, 2005; Archibald & Hempson, 2016). Lightning fires are less common and often do not burn through large areas of woodland (Walter, 1971; Van Wilgen, Biggs, O’regan, & Mare, 2000)

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