Fire and faunal abundance and diversity in the Natal Drakensberg.

Abstract

In the Natal Drakensberg the abundance and diversity of francolins, small mammals and antelope were related to time elapsed since the last fire. Greatest abundance and diversity occurred up to 3 years after fire, and on areas rarely or never burnt. Under an intermediate frequency of fire, the numbers of both species and individuals were low. This pattern would be unlikely had the biota not been exposed to frequent fire on fire-accessible areas, and to infrequent or no fire in fire-inaccessible areas during recent geological time. While the historical and present importance of fire in highland Natal is generally appreciated, the role of the fire in bushveld is controversial. It is suggested that the kind of study discussed here might be applied in bushveld to improve knowledge of floral and faunal responses to fire.

Keywords: abundance; antelope; biota; burning; bushveld; diversity; faunal response; fire; francolin; frequency; mammals; natal drakensberg; numbers; response; role; small mammals; south africa