Controlled burning of veld at Rietvlei nature reserve
"Fire is currently used as a management tool to remove unwanted vegetation, stimulate new growth, encourage rotational grazing and manipulate game species to use less palatable areas."
Concerns about the fires visible at night were raised by residents over the past two weeks in the Rietvlei nature reserve area.
The controlled burning of veld at the reserve commenced on September 27 and continued from October 4 to 6.
MMC Dana Wannenburg, department of environment and agriculture management said burning takes place in intervals of three to four years.
“We have therefore arranged our rotational burning programme to fall within the same timeline,” he said.
Fires are naturally caused by lightning and such fires are difficult to control.
“Fires are currently used as a management tool to remove unwanted vegetation, stimulate new growth, encourage rotational grazing and manipulate game species to use less palatable areas,” Wannenburg said.
He added that areas, as part of Pompom weed control in the nature reserve, were also burned.
“To burn, we have to apply for permission from agriculture, land reform and rural development for a permit that was issued on September 22.
“The vegetation type at the reserve is classified as rand highveld grassland.
“Factors such as rainfall, fire, grazing, ecology, wetlands, endangered plants and animals, and nutrient cycling interacts in a complex manner to result in the creation of this grassland system.”
He also said that rainfall plays a major role in determining the amount of grass biomass that provides the fuel for fires.
“Differences in rainfall over the years will influence the fuel loads available for fire. Herbivory can also play a role in the frequency and intensities of fire.
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“Our observation at the reserve is that the fire return interval of about three to four years is within the natural range of fire for an area with an average rainfall of approximately 700mm per annum.
“We have therefore arranged our rotational burning program to fall within the same timeline,” he said.
The reasons for the use of fire as a management tool for the protected area:
– Remove moribund or unwanted dry vegetation material that has accumulated from the previous seasons in a non-selective manner
– Stimulate the growth of new grass species for game
– Control encroachment of undesirable plants
– Encourage rotational grazing
– Protect infrastructure for accidental veld fires
– Manipulate game species to use less palatable areas
– Germinate seeds of plants
– To use burned areas as part of the Pompom weed control program for the reserve.
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