Fire intensity and regeneration of myrmecochorous Proteaceae

Abstract

The effects of fire intensity on shrub regeneration have been little studied in fynbos. Using the extent of canopy damage as a measure of fire intensity, we sampled seedling regeneration of two myrmecochorous species of Proteaceae, Leucospermum conocarpodendron and Mimetes fimbriifolius, over low and high fire intensities in a burnt area on the Cape Peninsula. The results show that seedling recruitment is strongly and positively related to local fire intensity. Die effek van brandintensiteit op verjonging van struike is min bestudeer in fynbos. Ons het die hoeveelheid kruin wat gebrand is gebruik om brandintensiteit te meet en daarmee die verjonging van twee mier-verspreide soorte van die Proteaceae, Leucospermum conocarpodendron en Mimetes fimbriifolius te vergelyk met lae en hoë intensiteite in ’n brand in die Kaapse Skiereiland. Die resultate bewys sterk en positiewe afhanklikheid van verjonging op brandintensiteit.