Fire survival and life histories of Acacia and Dichrostachys species in a South African savanna

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dc.contributor.advisorBond, William Jen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMaze, Kristal Elaineen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-10-25T18:58:56Z
dc.date.available2014-10-25T18:58:56Z
dc.date.issued2001en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThe tree-grass mix defines savannas, yet savannas can be defined as ecosystems that move between transition states of grass and bush, the dynamics of which are complex, being affected by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Recently there has been renewed interest in fire and its role in shaping and maintaining savanna communities in Africa. Other than its ability to radically alter the savanna components, relatively little is known about the mechanistic effects of fire regimes on the structural and functional dynamics of the ecosystem. Furthermore, the biological basis of the observed response has been very poorly studied. An improved understanding of savanna tree biology and how they respond to disturbance is essential for more effective ecosystem management. This study investigates variation in response of savanna trees to fire, and the underlying causes, in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. This variation is explored by means of clipping experiments and controlled bums, across species, tree height (seedlings to adults), a rainfall gradient, and intensity and season of injury. The four study species were Acacia karroo, A.nilotica, A.caffra and Dichrostachys cinerea. A total of 670 trees were subjected to different clipping treatments and their response monitored for two years. The response of 1512 trees was assessed following eight controlled burns of varying intensity and season. I investigated seasonal variation in root starch storage as a possible mechanisms underlying tree response.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationMaze, K. E. (2001). <i>Fire survival and life histories of Acacia and Dichrostachys species in a South African savanna</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8775en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMaze, Kristal Elaine. <i>"Fire survival and life histories of Acacia and Dichrostachys species in a South African savanna."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8775en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMaze, K. 2001. Fire survival and life histories of Acacia and Dichrostachys species in a South African savanna. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Maze, Kristal Elaine AB - The tree-grass mix defines savannas, yet savannas can be defined as ecosystems that move between transition states of grass and bush, the dynamics of which are complex, being affected by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Recently there has been renewed interest in fire and its role in shaping and maintaining savanna communities in Africa. Other than its ability to radically alter the savanna components, relatively little is known about the mechanistic effects of fire regimes on the structural and functional dynamics of the ecosystem. Furthermore, the biological basis of the observed response has been very poorly studied. An improved understanding of savanna tree biology and how they respond to disturbance is essential for more effective ecosystem management. This study investigates variation in response of savanna trees to fire, and the underlying causes, in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. This variation is explored by means of clipping experiments and controlled bums, across species, tree height (seedlings to adults), a rainfall gradient, and intensity and season of injury. The four study species were Acacia karroo, A.nilotica, A.caffra and Dichrostachys cinerea. A total of 670 trees were subjected to different clipping treatments and their response monitored for two years. The response of 1512 trees was assessed following eight controlled burns of varying intensity and season. I investigated seasonal variation in root starch storage as a possible mechanisms underlying tree response. DA - 2001 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2001 T1 - Fire survival and life histories of Acacia and Dichrostachys species in a South African savanna TI - Fire survival and life histories of Acacia and Dichrostachys species in a South African savanna UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8775 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/8775
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMaze KE. Fire survival and life histories of Acacia and Dichrostachys species in a South African savanna. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2001 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8775en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherBotanyen_ZA
dc.titleFire survival and life histories of Acacia and Dichrostachys species in a South African savannaen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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