The time of year that controlled ecological burns take place is important, explained Dr Nicola van Wilgen, a research associate at the Centre for Invasion Biology at Stellenbosch University. “Fires in autumn allow for burn conditions hot enough to ensure [fynbos] seed release and removal of dead material, but also close enough to the winter for germinating plants to benefit from the winter rains,” she added. PHOTO: Jamie Venter
Stellenbosch Municipality executed a controlled ecological burn at Jan Marais Nature Reserve on 21 April. The park was closed to members of the public for the day due to the burn.
This is according to spokesperson for the municipality Stuart Grobbelaar, who added that there are plans to execute a second burn in the reserve and continued closure of the park on 22 April.
“The purpose of the controlled ecological burn is to manage the fynbos growth and thus enable rejuvenation of the veld,” said Grobbelaar in written correspondence with MatieMedia.
Two areas of the reserve were identified and burned “as per operational plans which were done in consultation with the Fire Protection Association (FPA) and Stellenbosch Municipal Fire Services”, said Grobbelaar.
“[Controlled ecological burns] assist in reducing the build-up of dead plant material that can fuel very damaging wildfires,” said Dr Nicola van Wilgen, a research associate at the Centre for Invasion Biology (CIB) at Stellenbosch University.
Two areas of the Jan Marais Nature Reserve were identified and burned as part of a planned controlled ecological burn on 21 and 22 April, said spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality Stuart Grobbelaar. The park was closed to the public over these two days, he said. PHOTO: Jamie Venter
Rise from the ashes
“Without fire, fynbos plants die out,” said Prof Brian van Wilgen from the CIB in email correspondence with MatieMedia. “[Fynbos] requires a fire once every 10 to 20 years to stimulate seed germination.”
Fynbos plants have evolved so that their seeds are released in response to heat after a fire, where they are then able to make use of the newly opened land that has been fertilised by ashes, explained Nicola van Wilgen. “Many fynbos bulb species only flower for a short time after fire, so one can expect beautiful floral displays in the months after a burn.”
“Fynbos is one of the most diverse vegetation types on earth, with thousands of species found nowhere else on earth,” said Prof Brian van Wilgen from the Centre for Invasion Biology at Stellenbosch University. Fynbos is rapidly being depleted and controlled burns are important to stimulate seed germination, he added. PHOTO: Jamie Venter
Threats can’t take heat
Controlled ecological burns and invasive alien clearing are “important mechanisms to promote re-establishment of fynbos and return to ecological functionality of disturbed sites”, said Etiene Basson, an environmental officer at the Western Cape government department of environmental affairs and development planning.
“Fynbos is one of the most diverse vegetation types on earth, with thousands of species found nowhere else on earth,” said Brian. “Fynbos is rapidly being lost due to development and invasion by alien plants, so we need to look after it.”