Impact of Fire on Woody Plants Utilize by Birds for Nesting in a Savanna Woodland

Abstract

The phenomenon of fire and vegetation evolved long time ago. Due to man’s activity, fire has assumed even an important dimension compared with other environmental variables in shaping the composition, biomass, structure, function and distribution of plant communities, including animal populations that dependent on them, especially in the savanna woodland ecosystem. This study investigates fire and its implication on trees and tree species utilized by birds for nesting in the Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria. The study was carried out in Yankari Game Reserve (9°45’N 10°30’E), 100 km south east of Bauchi town, Bauchi State, Nigeria. The reserve covers a total area of 2, 244 km², in the east-central part of Nigeria. Line transect was used to record densities of vegetation and bird nest variables. Ninety transects of 1000 m long were placed randomly in the Savanna woodlands. Tree species and bird nests were identified and recorded along each transect. Density estimate of these variables were carried out at 100 m section along the transect line. All the variables were measured within a 20 x 20 m plot. Our findings showed that fire generally had negative impact on woody plants in the Yankari Game Reserve. More woody plants were affected during the late burning regime compared to the early regime. Higher density of death and stunted trees were recorded in the burnt areas of the Reserve. Birds appear to adapt well to the fire regime practiced in the Reserve. The Combretum tree species was most adversely affected by fire compared with other woody plants. Late fire regime was implicated to cause direct death and stuntedness in most woody plants perhaps due to its intensity. Many studies have shown that late fire regimes are hotter and more detrimental to woody plants. We recommend a review in policy of the burning regime to fit in with the ecological reality of the game reserve.