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Renken, D. (2018): <b>M.Sc.Thesis-The regenerative capacity of vegetation in the fire-shaped Ericaceous belt of the Bale Mountains</b> Philipps Universit&auml;t Marburg, <i>master thesis</i>

Resource Description
Title: M.Sc.Thesis-The regenerative capacity of vegetation in the fire-shaped Ericaceous belt of the Bale Mountains
FOR816dw ID: 76
Publication Date: 2018-03-31
License and Usage Rights: Dorothea Renken
Resource Owner(s):
Individual: Dorothea Renken
Contact:
Abstract:
The Bale Mountains of Ethiopia are a biodiversity hot spot in the south-eastern African highlands. Human<br/> pressure on the ecosystem strongly increases steadily because of a vast growing population of that region<br/> and the people's dependence on natural resources. The main impact of human land use is initial burning<br/> which shapes a whole vegetation zone: The Ericaceous belt. A plethora of research was and is conducted to<br/> analyze where fire has been and is set, to identify fire hot spots - areas which are very likely to be burnt -<br/> and ultimately to develop a fire management plan which might be applied in the future. Yet, the effect fire<br/> has on the vegetation of the Ericaceous belt of the Bale Mountains is unknown.<br/> In my study, I investigate the present post-fire floristic composition of the Ericaceous belt and identify the<br/> drivers of its dynamics. Especially altitude, climatic conditions and regeneration time as well as browsing by<br/> livestock were examined pertaining to their effect on vegetation's recovery.<br/> Data was first generated through vegetation assessment then subsequently through plant identification and<br/> analyzed by linear ordination methods. The vegetation's age was revealed applying different age methods<br/> of remote sensing, interviews and dendrochronology.<br/> In the whole Ericaceous belt not a single unburnt area was detected. The oldest recorded vegetation was<br/> determined to be 25 years old. Within these 25 years of regeneration no significant changes in floristic<br/> composition occurred. Little variation in floristic composition within the vegetation zone could be observed<br/> and was mainly associated with the slope of the mountains while elevation was of the second largest<br/> impact. Age, inclination, distance to settlements and browsing of the youngest vegetation additionally<br/> affected the species composition. Up to 70 % of variation of the floristic composition in the recently burnt<br/> areas and 50 % in older vegetation were associated with these variables. The name-giving Erica regenerated<br/> by resprouting from fire-surviving biomass. It's growth of height showed large variability in the researched<br/> areas and was directly and indirectly related to livestock browsing.<br/> With the baseline of information on post-fire vegetation recovery which I provide, I aim to contribute to<br/> prove that the current Ericaceous belt - contrary to previous considerations - does not consist of natural<br/> vegetation but was rather shaped by humans for a long time.
Additional Infos:
First assessor: Dr. Lars Opgenoorth<br/> Second assessor: Prof. Dr. Georg Miehe
Keywords:
| ecology | fire | MODIS | vegetation | Ericaceous vegetation | fire ecology | c2 |
Literature type specific fields:
THESIS
Degree: master
Degree Institution: Philipps Universität Marburg
Total Pages: 48
Metadata Provider:
Individual: Luise Wraase
Contact:
Online Distribution:
Download File: http://vhrz669.hrz.uni-marburg.de/bale/publications.do?citid=76


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afroalpine vegetation archaeology biomarker c2 ecology Erica Ericaceous vegetation excavation geochemistry High-altitude habitation isoptopes lake sediment Late Pleistocene p5 paleoclimatic paleovegetation pollen sediment Settlement history Tropical mountains