kruger park conducts fire experiments
30 April 2008

An experiment is underway in the Kruger National Park (KNP) to prove that fires can be used to rejuvenate savanna ecosystems and boost biodiversity.  The Savanna Fire Ignition Research Experiment (SavFIRE) is an ongoing experiment to investigate the effects of different types of fire patterns and their effect on biodiversity.

“Fire is a tool used to rejuvenate savanna ecosystems and boost biodiversity, but in order to achieve the maximum benefit, it is important that the fire is not too intense,” said park spokesperson Raymond Travers. He said fire researchers who attended the 6th annual Science Network Meeting in Skukuza recently found that fires that are started at a single point were more natural than those started on a block or piece of land.

The point ignitions were more difficult to control, however, and posed a greater risk of getting out of hand.  Researchers were therefore trying to find out whether smaller block burns, under specific conditions, could achieve a similar effect as point ignitions.  Mr Travers said experimental fires were only started when the temperature was less than 20 degrees Celsius, relative humidity was higher than 50 percent and wind speed was less than 10km per hour.

Aerial photos and satellite images were used to study the fire's behaviour, fire patterns and to compare the effects of point and block burns.  SavFIRE experiments are being conducted in three veld areas of the park, in the Lowveld sour bushveld in the Pretoriuskop area, in the Knoppiesdoring-Marula veld in the Satara region and the Mopane veld in the Mopane region.
The experiments are also providing temporary jobs to people from disadvantaged communities, said Mr Travers.

The Kruger National Park was established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld.  It is nearly two million hectares in size and is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.

The park is home to species including 336 of trees, 49 of fish, 34 types of amphibians, 114 reptile species, 507 kinds of birds and 147 species of mammals.  Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park.

These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.  A nine month report, ending 31 December 2005, released by SANParks in 2006 shows the Kruger National Park received the highest number of guests from all national parks, at 1 005 012.
This was followed closely by Table Mountain National Park with 1 001 123 guests and Tsitsikamma National Park in third place with 113 368 guests.

Gcina Ntsaluba,  www.buanews.gov.za