The effect of thirty years of burning on the Highland Sourveld of Natal.

Abstract

A veld condition assessment was used to determine the effect of past burning treatments on the species composition of Highland Sourveld at Cathedral Peak. Veld condition scores in grassland protected from fire were significantly lower than where veld had been burnt or burnt and grazed at regular intervals. Frequent defoliation was found to maintain the grassland composition largely unchanged over a period of 30 years. Individual species were found to react strongly to defoliation frequency.

Keywords: burning; cathedral peak; defoliation; defoliation frequency; fire; grassland; highland sourveld; KwaZulu/Natal; natal; south africa; species composition; veld burning; veld condition; veld condition assessment; veld condition score; Veld conditions

Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.