Vegetation responses to fire history and soil properties in grazed semi-arid tropical savanna

Abstract

A long-term (1993–2016) fire experiment in the grazed semi-arid savanna of the Northern Territory was used to investigate the relative impacts of soil properties and fire history on vegetation composition and diversity in grassland and woodland habitats. Subtle variation in soil texture influenced vegetation composition and abundance independently of fire variables and was generally a more important control on floristic patterns. Total species richness, lifeform richness and the abundance and presence of many individual plant species declined with increasing clay content. Linear mixed effect models with combined habitat data, showed total richness and richness of annual and perennial forbs, annual grasses and legumes increased with more frequent fire. Perennial grass abundance and richness was not influenced by fire. Total and lifeform mean richness did not vary between two and four yearly or early and late burnt treatments. Richness and abundance was generally significantly higher on burnt blocks than unburnt blocks regardless of fire season or interval. These results suggest greater diversity after burning is a result of an increase in ephemeral species. However, the overall influence of fire on floristic patterns is relatively moderate and fire regimes may therefore be manipulated for other management imperatives, such as fauna conservation, carbon sequestration and pastoral productivity without substantial impacts on botanical values in semi-arid tropical savannas.