A review of the responses of medium- to largesized African mammals to fire

Abstract

An improved understanding of how fire affects African mammals is important for the management of both fire regimes and mammal populations. The response of mammals (>5 kg) to fire was reviewed to identify habitat preferences, and to inform fire management. Sixty-four studies reported on 51 species at 34 locations. Body size was strongly correlated with fire response, with smaller grazing species more likely to respond positively to fire (i.e. to occupy recently-burnt areas) than larger browsing species. Frequently-studied species (≥4 studies) were classified as either ambivalent in their responses to fire (four large browsers) or as responding positively to fire (fourteen grazers). An additional 30 less frequently studied species (<4 studies), including carnivores, were preliminarily assigned to fire response categories. Almost all studies were conducted in savanna and grassland vegetation, with the fire-prone dystrophic miombo, and more arid sites under-represented. Much of the research was aimed at establishing the preferences of a rare or declining species of concern, and fire management recommendations often called for increasing fire frequency to benefit such species. However, it is clear that co-occurring species have different requirements. We conclude therefore that managers should aim to promote spatial heterogeneity through fire application.