Post-fire resprouting of Colophospermum mopane saplings in a southern African savanna

Fire is a common feature of tropical savannas and it has an important role in the ecology and evolution of the flora. Many woody species in tropical savannas are well adapted to fire and have a vigorous resprouting ability that enables them to survive recurring fire (Frost & Robertson 1987, Hoffmann & Solbrig 2003, Meyer et al. 2005). Studies on the interaction between fire and woody plants in Mediterranean-climate regions have considerably increased our understanding of the subject but relationships between plant attributes (stem diameter and height) and post-fire resprouting ability of southern African savanna woody species are poorly understood. Resprouting is a widespread mechanism by which many plants regenerate after partial or total defoliation (Bellingham & Sparrow 2000, Bond & Midgley 2001).