How changing fire management policies affect fire seasonality and livelihoods

Area of Science:

• Pyrogeography
• African savanna ecology
• Community-based natural resource management

Background:

• Historical fire management knowledge is limited in African savanna-woodland biomes.
• African savanna fire management has a long history, but practices are not well-documented.
• Understanding human dimensions of fire is crucial for effective savanna management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore historical and current fire management practices and perceptions in Bwabwata National Park, Namibia.
• To investigate the influence of political dynamics on traditional fire use among Khwe and Mbukushu communities.
• To analyze the pyrogeographic framework for understanding human-fire interactions in savanna-woodland ecosystems.

Main Methods:

• Conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with local communities and stakeholders.
• Utilized satellite data from 2000 to 2015 to analyze fire dynamics.
• Applied a pyrogeographic framework to examine the human dimension of fire management.

Main Results:

• Colonial policies (1888-2005) disrupted traditional fire practices, enforcing fire suppression.
• Khwe and Mbukushu communities utilize early-season fires for livelihoods and park management.
• Mbukushu communities also employ late-season burns for agricultural land preparation.
• Current fire management, including early-season burning, is rooted in historical practices.

Conclusions:

• Past political dynamics significantly impacted traditional fire management in Namibian savannas.
• The resurgence of early-season burning reflects a re-adoption of historical practices.
• Integrating social, cultural dynamics, and participatory engagement is vital for future fire management.
• Acknowledging the human dimension of fire is critical for effective savanna fire management.