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Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2018, 8(3): 151-161
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Article

The effect of wildfire on Erica arborea L. (Ericaceae) in Simien Mountains National Park, Northwest Ethiopia

Endalkachew Teshome2, Gerhard Glatzel2
1Department of Tourism Management, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
2University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, BOKU Institute of Forest Ecology, Peter Jordan Strasse 82 1190, Vienna, Austria

Received 15 March 2018;Accepted 10 April 2018;Published 1 September 2018
IAEES

Abstract
Fire plays a crucial role in the Ericaceous forest ecology within the World Heritage Site of Simen Mountains National Park. Objectives of our study were to evaluate the potential of E. arborea epicormic shoot formation in different tree diameters and heights after forest fire occurred, and investigate establishment of woody species in the fire affected ericaceous forest. Two 40 m x 40 m sample plots were established, one at a fire affected site and another at an unaffected site. Within each plot, 1m x 1m subplots were placed at 2 m intervals along diagonal transects 51 in each site. Experimental treatments (soil scarification, mowing, fire and total enclosure) were assigned to subplots. A non-parametric t-test for two independent samples of unburned and burned plots was applied to test the degree of significance. From the crown-fire affected plots 56.3% of the trees were re-sprouted from the base in the first diameter class (0-4.9 cm). Out of 993.7 individual trees ha-1 in the second height class (1.5-3 m), 73 % were sprouted. Erica arborea is favoured by fire since re-sprouting of shoot from the remaining stumps is widespread. Prescribed burns for E. arborea regeneration should consider in future management plans.

Keywords Erica arborea;fire ecology;Simien Mountains National Park.


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