Fire in South African Mountain Fynbos : Ecosystem, Community and Species Response at Swartboskloof

The reader is provided with a comprehensive account of a pre-and post-fire study in a South African mountain fynbos ecosystem.

It addresses the interaction between climate and structural features of the vegetation as it determines the incidence and behaviour of fire.

The composition and structure of vegetation, the effects of fire on this as well as the responses of the individual species are examined.

The responses of small mammals and ants are also covered, with focus on the consequences for the regenerating vegetation.

Finally, the text analyzes the effects of fire on the water and mineral nutrient balance of the system, and in so doing addresses questions on the sustainability of fire management in fynbos ecosystems.

Throughout the book, emphasis is placed on the comparison with other Mediterranean-type ecosystems.