Kenneth Stainbank to conduct block burns for a month
The Kenneth Stainbank Reserve will be commencing with maintained block burns, which are an integral part of managing veld conditions.
THE Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve has alerted residents of Yellowwood Park and surrounding areas that it will be conducting controlled block burns between August 4 and September 5. This is a routine management practice which will be conducted under the watchful eye of the reserve management team and trained personnel.
Also read: Don’t panic if you smell fire in Yellowwood Park
What are block burns?
Controlled burning is a significant part of veld management and ecological maintenance in savannah environments. Nambiti Game Reserve gives an understanding of why block burning is an essential part of sound reserve management.
“Mother Nature has been using fire since the beginning of time to maintain the healthy balance of the planet’s ecosystems. A healthy savannah ecosystem equals healthy and happy wildlife,” said the reserve.
In these block burns, fire is intentionally ignited in a specific area of the reserve on a rotational basis. Burning days are carefully chosen to be low wind and low fire index days and are supported by firefighting equipment and personnel on standby.
Why block burns are necessary?
- Block burns stop moribund grasses from building up: It is essentially when grass grows itself to death and the dead grass lies on top and stops the new grass from growing underneath it. The dead grass layers stifle new growth and stops bush encroachment, where shrubs and woody vegetation take over grasslands, decreasing valuable grazing habitat for wildlife.
- By burning off some areas, the reserve paves the way for new grasses full of nutrients to grow. Taller trees typically withstand the fires, leaving food sources still available for browsers, while smaller invasive plants are burned out.
- Burning off this dead grass gives ‘breathing room’ for new grass to come up and grow. When the rains come, the areas that have been burned off erupt with succulent new green shoots.
Queries:
The Kenneth Stainbank Honorary Officers are encouraging residents who have queries or concerns to contact the officer-in-charge, Thandu Nomatshila, on 072 190 9612.
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