The Effect of Different Regimes of Annual Burning on Two Woodland Communities in Kavango / DIE INVLOED VAN VERSKILLENDE STELSELS VAN JAARLIKSE BRAND OP TWEE BOOMVELDGEMEENSKAPPE IN KAVANGO

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Abstract
The effect of annual burning during the end of the rainy season, the early and late dry season as compared to complete protection, on the vegetation of two woodland communities in Kavango, S.W.A., was investigated, Differences in soils contributed to differences in the composition of the two communities and in the rate of increment of various tree species, while burning treatments had no significant: effects on the increment of these species. It is concluded that although fire does produce significant effects on the regeneration and mortality of certain species and the height and volume of the undergrowth, complex relationships between the various components of the vegetation complicate the effects of the treatments. Although complete protection favours certain species it is recommended to apply fire early in the dry season to keep the fuel level relatively low, in communities where the fire-sensitive species are not important.