The effect of different fire treatments on the population structure and density of the Marula, Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) subsp. caffra (Sond.) kokwaro (Kokwaro & Gillet 1980) in the Kruger National Park

Abstract

To determine the influence of frequency and season of burn on the growth structure and density of Sclerocarya birrea, six replicated fire treatments of the experimental burning plot trial were surveyed in the Sclerocarya birrea / Acacia nigrescens savanna of the central Kruger National Park. Studies were also conducted in an exclosure to determine the success of recruitment of Sclerocarya birrea individuals across a range of fire intensities in the absence of herbivory. The results indicated that the lower canopy structure (individuals <2m) was greatly affected by fire, whereas density was unaffected. The lower canopy generally responded to the interaction between frequency and season, and not to the main effects of season or frequency. August triennial burns had the greatest impact on the total seedling structure, with higher fire intensities resulting in the development of a multi-stemmed morphology.