Fynbos plants use a variety of strategies to survive fires. Some re-sprout from underground storage organs, some store their seeds in woody cones that only open after fire, and others rely on ants to bury their seeds, which require specific chemical signals found in wood smoke to germinate. Linked to these diverse survival strategies, plants also differ in their ideal inter-fire interval. Some species, like the fire lilies, emerge immediately after a fire, flower and set seed, then remain dormant until the next fire. For them, frequent fires are beneficial. Others, like some proteas, are obligate re-seeders that require sufficient time between fires for their seeds to germinate and grow into plants large enough to produce a good crop of seeds before the next fire.
Botanists still debate the ideal fire frequency, but it is generally thought to be in the range of 12 to 20 years, depending on rainfall – higher rainfall generally leads to faster regrowth and thus shorter intervals between fires. However, it is clear that at a landscape scale, plant diversity is maximised by having a mosaic of different-aged stands of fynbos.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July - August 2020-Ausgabe von African Birdlife.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July - August 2020-Ausgabe von African Birdlife.
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agrochemicals and birds
By the year 2050, it is estimated that 171 million more hectares of agricultural land will be needed to feed a global population of 10 billion people.
arrivals and departures
The Mouse-Free Marion Project is committed to ensuring that breeding seabirds can return to a predator-free Marion Island.
FULL skies
High summer brings high entertainment to Botswana's Mababe Community Concession and Kazuma Pan.
specials IN THE MIST
With a distinct habitat and climate, Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands are a must-visit destination for any birder wanting to see a bevy of special birds.
MIDRAND marvel
Gauteng birders don't need to travel far to get their feathery fix. Midway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, Glen Austin Pan has become a favourite patch for this returnee expat.
IN TOO DEEP...again
The annual sardine run along South Africa's east coast is a thrill and a challenge for underwater photographers, especially if you throw birds and inclement weather into the mix.
a journey through the mysteries of moult
As a bird researcher in South Africa’s botanically diverse fynbos biome, I have come to regard bird ringing as part of my journey to understanding moult.
Southern SIGHTINGS
The midsummer period lived up to its reputation as the busiest time for rarities in southern Africa and produced a host of really good records, including several that got twitchers racing all over the subregion to try and add these mega ticks to their lists. As always, none of the records included here have been adjudicated by any of the subregion's Rarities Committees.
storm petrels in Kalk Bay
According to Roberts 7, both Wilson’s and European storm petrels occasionally seek the shelter of breakwaters during periods of strong onshore winds, but this is seldom observed off South Africa.
power-napping penguins
Periodic reduction in neural activity (sleep) is found in all animals with brains and seems to be essential to restore effective brain function. There is plenty of evidence of the adverse effects of not getting enough sleep, and recent research in humans has identified getting sufficient sleep as one of the four core pillars of living a long and healthy life.