Veld burning in Bonamanzi
In Bonamanzi fire is used as a management tool in the savanna and woodland habitats. The principle guiding this is that the grasslands in Zululand were formed under a fire regime and need fire for their continued well-being.
In the Bonamanzi Game Reserve there has, in recent decades, been a large increase in woody plants within these grassy habitats. One of the main drivers of woody plant increase is too little burning – where the fires are not frequent enough and not hot enough. So, as well as rejuvenating the grasslands, fire is used to reduce the woody plants – in conjunction with mechanical clearing.
The aim is to have a patchwork of grassland where there are sections with different burn histories. This promotes what is known as a ‘fire mosaic’ which provides a range of ‘micro-habitats’ which support a high diversity of plant and animal species.
The wetlands are also burnt – but at less frequent intervals than the grasslands. Fire is excluded from the riparian and sand forest habitats.
Most of the burning in Bonamanzi is done in late winter when there are high fuel loads and there is not yet a spring growth flush.
In August three areas were burnt. The burnt areas will soon 'green up' and will attract grazing animals. There may also be some veld flowers coming up in the short grass.
