Research, monitoring, and reflection as a guide to the management of complex ecosystems : the case of fire in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
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Date
Authors
Van Wilgen, Brian W.
Strydom, Tercia
Simms, Chenay
Smit, Izak P.J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley Open Access
Abstract
Conservation managers frequently set goals and monitor progress toward
them. This often becomes a routine annual exercise, and periodic reflection
over longer periods is done less often, if at all. We report on the annual monitoring
of fire patterns in the Kruger National Park between 2012 and 2020, and
examine how these compared with desired thresholds of spatial extent and
intensity. These thresholds were based on decades of research and were aimed
at achieving specific ecological outcomes. The patterns were outside of thresholds
in two out of five fire management zones. In one (Zone 1), the goal was to
encourage frequent burning, and this was marginally not achieved due to a
severe drought during the period assessed. In Zone 3, a reduction in extent
and intensity was desired, but thresholds for both were substantially exceeded.
An exceedance in any given year might not trigger a management response,
but if this occurs over multiple years it should trigger an examination of
whether these exceedances affected the desired ecological outcomes. On reflection,
we recommend that current management in four zones need not change,
but that Zone 3 would require appropriate interventions. The available options
can simultaneously produce positive and negative conservation outcomes, so
trade-offs become necessary. By reflecting on research findings and management
challenges, the advantages and disadvantages of available options have become clear, providing a basis for prioritization and compromise.
Description
Keywords
Adaptive management, Elephants, Fire intensity, Rhinos, Savanna, Trees
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
van Wilgen, B. W., Strydom, T., Simms, C., & Smit, I. P. J. (2022).
Research, monitoring, and reflection as a guide to
the management of complex ecosystems: The case
of fire in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Conservation Science and Practice, 4(4), e12658.
https://DOI.org/10.1111/csp2.12658.