Savanna
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Date
1986
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Wiley
Abstract
Very obviously, fire decreases the density of woody stems and late (intense) burning has a greater effect than early burning. In very humid savanna (as in derived savanna regions) the wood volume may sometimes be greater in early burnt plots than in fire protected ones in early successional stages, as smaller mean girth in the fire-protected area may not be compensated for by the increase in stem density. The effect of fire on herbaceous production varies greatly with climate. In drier, more marginal regions early burning or even fire protection may result in higher grass yields than late burning. In the southern derived savanna, time of burning makes little difference in yield, but somewhat greater yield is achieved with late burning. In intermediate (Guinea savanna) regions, late burning usually appears to increase grass above-ground biomass, although no results of long-term experiments are available.
Description
Keywords
Savanna systems, Causes of savanna, Guinea savanna, Organic matter in the soil, Conservation of vegetation, Vegetation, Climate, Soil, Mineral cycling, Nitrogen model, Anthropic disturbance, Effects of fire, Physiognomy and structure, Herbaceous plants, Woody plants, Savanna zones of West Africa
Citation
Sanford, William W. and lsichei, Augustine O. (1986). Savanna. In Plant Ecology in West Africa. John Wiley & Sons Ltd