The evolution of fire and invasive alien plant management practices in fynbos

Wilgen, Brian W. van

doi:10.4102/sajs.v105i9/10.106

Cited by 59 publications

(92 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…This may be correlated with the strong preference found for the fynbos biome in the WC PAN. Not only has the fynbos region v www.esajournals.org been recognized for its global importance as a center of endemism, but also it is highly vulnerable to poor fire management and alien invasive trees and shrubs (Richardson et al 1996, Van Wilgen 2009. Groups of species including the pines (Pinus species), wattles (Acacia and Paraserianthes species), hakeas (Hakea species), and gums (Eucalyptus species) are invasive and of major ecological significance in the fynbos biome (Van Wilgen 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relevance of socioeconomic interactions for the resilience of protected area networks

Maciejewski

Cumming

2015

Ecosphere

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Abstract. Ecological theory suggests that intermediate connectivity between protected areas will increase their resilience by facilitating dispersal, recolonisation, and genetic mixing. Conversely, overconnectivity may make areas less resilient to contagious perturbations such as pathogen outbreaks. In a similar manner, socioeconomic connectivity should enhance the spread of effective management strategies and the sharing of scarce resources, but over-connectivity carries the risks associated with one-size-fits-all strategies. We used network analysis to examine the topology of management collaborations and related exchanges of information and equipment in two protected area networks in South Africa using the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces as study sites. National protected areas displayed the highest degree of centrality in the Western Cape, while provincial protected areas occupied the central role in the Eastern Cape. Managers in the Western Cape were more concerned about establishing ecological connectivity between protected areas whereas tourism emerged as an important driver in the Eastern Cape protected area network. Our results support the argument that both location and network membership are important for the socioeconomic resilience of protected areas. As with ecological corridors, deliberate fostering of particular socioeconomic corridors may make the protected areas more resilient to perturbations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relevance of socioeconomic interactions for the resilience of protected area networks

Maciejewski

Cumming

2015

Ecosphere

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“…The role of fire in maintaining healthy fynbos vegetation was recognized as early as 1945 (Wicht 1945), and its use as a management practice became widespread in the 1970s (van Wilgen 2009, Bond 2012. The use of fire as a management practice nonetheless remains contentious to a certain degree, despite advances in the understanding of its role in maintaining healthy vegetation.…”

Section: Fire In Fynbos and Renosterveld Shrublandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fynbos is fire prone and fire adapted and dependent on a regime of regular summer or early autumn burning (van Wilgen 2009, Bond 2012. The fire regime is characterized by variability around the mean fire-return interval and season (Forsyth and van Wilgen 2008;, and evidence from the TMNP suggests that this variability may well be necessary for plant species co-existence Gxaba 1990, Thuiller et al 2007).…”

Section: Fire Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the case of "fynbos" (Mediterranean-climate shrublands endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces in South Africa), ecosystem health is best maintained by promoting a variable fire regime that will ensure the persistence of all elements of the biota, but that will include a significant proportion of relatively high-intensity fires in the dry summer season , van Wilgen 2009. However, the deliberate use of fires in the dry season can be both dangerous and illegal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Management of Fire-Adapted Ecosystems in an Urban Setting: the Case of Table Mountain National Park, South Africa

Wilgen¹,

Forsyth²,

Prins³

2012

E&S

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ABSTRACT. The Table Mountain National Park is a 265-km² conservation area embedded within a city of 3.5 million people. The highly diverse and unique vegetation of the park is both fire prone and fire adapted, and the use of fire forms an integral part of the ecological management of the park. Because fires are both necessary and dangerous, fire management is characterized by uncertainty and conflict. The response of vegetation to fire is reasonably well understood, but the use of fire for conservation purposes remains controversial because of key gaps in understanding. These gaps include whether or not the vegetation is resilient to increases in fire frequency, how to deal with fire-sensitive forests embedded in fire-prone shrublands, and how to integrate fire and invasive alien plant control. National legislation emphasizes the need to protect communities from dangerous wildfires, and this compels fire managers to adopt a cautious approach to the application of fire. Ecological outcomes are optimized under a fire regime of relatively high-intensity, dry-season fires. Obtaining permission to burn under such conditions is not possible, and so the practice of prescribed burning is constrained, and this results in a fire regime dominated by wildfires. Ecological uncertainties, and the divergent requirements for maintaining healthy ecosystems on the one hand, and ensuring human safety on the other, result in a complex fire management environment. These complexities could be, and in some cases are being, alleviated by raising awareness, increasing fire management capacity, improving ecological monitoring of the effects of fire, and prioritizing areas for integrated fire and invasive alien plant management.

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“…Attitudes can also shift over time as new knowledge and understanding arises, and as value systems change. South Africa has a long history of management of invasive alien plants , Zimmermann et al 2004, van Wilgen 2009, and there is much to be learned about perceptions and trade-offs from the implementation of these projects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence, Perceptions, and Trade-offs Associated with Invasive Alien Plant Control in the Table Mountain National Park, South Africa

Wilgen¹

2012

E&S

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ABSTRACT. The Table Mountain National Park is a 265 km 2 protected area embedded within a city of 3.5 million people. The park contains an extremely diverse flora with many endemic species, and has been granted World Heritage Site status in recognition of this unique biodiversity. Invasive alien plants are arguably the most significant threat to the conservation of this biodiversity, and the past decade has seen the implementation of aggressive programs aimed at the removal of invasions by these plants. These invasive alien plants include several species of trees, notably pines (Pinus species) and eucalypts (Eucalyptus species), which historically have been grown in plantations, and which are utilized for recreation by the city's residents. In addition, many citizens regard the trees as attractive and ecologically beneficial, and for these reasons the alien plant control programs have been controversial. I briefly outline the legal obligations to deal with invasive alien plants, the history of control operations and the scientific rationale for their implementation, and the concerns that have been raised about the operations. Evidence in support of control includes the aggressive invasive nature of many species, and the fact that they displace native biodiversity (often irreversibly) and have negative impacts on hydrology, fire intensity, and soil stability. Those against control cite aesthetic concerns, the value of pine plantations for recreation, the (perceived) unattractive nature of the treeless natural vegetation, and the (incorrect) belief that trees bring additional rainfall. The debate has been conducted through the press, and examples of perceptions and official responses are given. Despite opposition, the policy promoting alien plant removal has remained in place, and considerable progress has been made towards clearing pine plantations and invasive populations. This conservation success story owes much to political support, arising largely from job creation, and a strong body of scientific evidence that could be cited in support of the program.

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The evolution of fire and invasive alien plant management practices in fynbos

Cited by 59 publications

References 43 publications

The relevance of socioeconomic interactions for the resilience of protected area networks

The relevance of socioeconomic interactions for the resilience of protected area networks

The Management of Fire-Adapted Ecosystems in an Urban Setting: the Case of Table Mountain National Park, South Africa

Evidence, Perceptions, and Trade-offs Associated with Invasive Alien Plant Control in the Table Mountain National Park, South Africa

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