Factors Affecting the Timing of Grassland Regrowth after Fire in the Montane Grasslands of Natal

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Recent research has indicated that burning Highland Sourveld once growth has been initiated increases grass tiller mortality. Present burning prescriptions could therefore be improved by an insight into the factors controlling the initiation of grass growth in spring. It was hypothesised in this study that early rainfall stimulated early growth in spring. The results indicated, however, that soil moisture was always freely available, even after a long period of drought. There was no correlation between growth and soil moisture, whereas high correlations were found between growth and soil temperature and growth and air temperature. It is concluded that soil temperature is the limiting factor in initiating grass growth in spring in the Natal Drakensberg.