Study

Burning issues for conservation: A critique of faunal fire research in Southern Africa

  • Published source details Parr C.L. & Chown S.L. (2003) Burning issues for conservation: A critique of faunal fire research in Southern Africa. Austral Ecology, 28, 384-395.

Summary

Research into the consequences for fauna of conservation management using prescribed fire is limited and varies in quality. In this study, a review was undertaken of published research undertaken to date concerning the effects of fire management on fauna in fynbos, grassland and savannah habitats in Southern Africa.

Relevant published studies were collated via a literature search. Results of fire ecology research in Southern Africa are frequently only presented in ‘in-house’ conservation organisation reports (i.e. grey literature). Although there may be much useful information within such reports, accessing them is problematic, and it is often extremely difficult to assess information reliability due the absence of careful reporting of methods and results (although findings often becomes adopted as accepted wisdom). For these reasons grey literature was not considered.

A total of 57 relevant published studies reporting the effects of fire on fauna (i.e. incorporating information on one or more faunistic group: 20 on birds; 7 on invertebrates; 19 on small mammals; 15 on large mammals; and 1 on reptiles) published between 1965 and 2002 were identified. Studies published prior to 1965 were found to be primarily observational (non-quantitative) and were therefore excluded.
 
Few studies used an experimental fire regime or were undertaken over suitably long time scales. Replication was often not reported and where this was done, it was generally inadequate. The majority of studies did not report the size of the study area and often sampling unit size was not given. Despite the importance of fire duration, ignition method, season and time of day of fire, few studies investigated these factors.
 
The authors conclude that, despite several careful studies, present information on the effects of fire on fauna in Southern Africa savanna, grassland and fynbos habitats is fragmentary. Consequently, it is difficult to make informed management decisions regarding the consequences of burning on the conservation of fauna.
 
 
Note: If using or referring to this published study, please read and quote the original paper, this can be viewed at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/118897637/PDFSTART

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust