The long-term effects of fire regime on primary production of montane grasslands in South Africa

Abstract

Natural grasslands deliver essential ecosystem services through plant production, which enhances water supply, nutrient cycling, soil retention and greenhouse gas mitigation. Although the condition of montane grasslands for provision of ecosystem services is maintained by regular annual or biennial burning, controversy exists over the impact of different frequencies and seasons of burning on grassland productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effects of different burning regimes on primary production and quality of the montane grasslands of the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. There were no significant differences in the mean standing live mass between 30 years of annual winter and biennial spring burning. However, in unburnt areas productivity was 20% lower (118.2 g m−2) than in  regularly burnt grassland (144.7–154.5 g m−2). Crude protein did not vary between the annual winter and biennial spring treatments (95–113 kg ha−1), but was  significantly lower in unburned areas (45 kg ha−1). However, an infrequent fire in a protected area caused a temporary spike in crude protein (16%) compared with regular burning (5–10%), which can benefit wildlife. We conclude that montane grasslands can be burnt annually or biennially in the dormant season to promote long-term productivity.

Keywords: aboveground dry matter, crude fibre, crude protein, standing dead