Herbaceous species responses to long-term effects of prescribed fire, grazing and selective tree cutting in the savanna-woodlands of West Africa

Published source details Savadogo P., Tiveau D., Sawadogo L. & Tigabu M. (2008) Herbaceous species responses to long-term effects of prescribed fire, grazing and selective tree cutting in the savanna-woodlands of West Africa. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 10, 179-195.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use wire fences within grazing areas to exclude livestock from specific forest sections Action Link
	Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants Action Link
	Use prescribed fire: effect on understory plants Action Link

Use wire fences within grazing areas to exclude livestock from specific forest sections

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1993-2003 in savanna woodland in West Africa (Savadogo et al. 2008) found no effect of grazing exclusion on herbaceous plant richness or diversity. The number of species/0.25 ha (grazed: 14-16; fenced: 13-15) and species diversity (Shannon's index control: 2.7-3.0; exclusion: 2.5-2.8) was similar between treatments. Data were collected in 2003 in four grazed and four fenced (wire fenced to exclude livestock in 1993) treatment plots (0.25 ha) replicated in four blocks, at each of two sites (18 ha).
Thin trees within forests: effects on understory plants

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1994-2003 in savanna woodland in West Africa (Savadogo et al. 2008) found no effect of cutting on species richness or diversity of herbs. Numbers of species/0.25 ha (uncut: 13-16; cut: 14-16) and diversity (Shannon's index uncut: 2.5-2.9; cut: 2.6-2.9) was similar between treatments. Data were collected in 2003 in two uncut and two cut (50% of merchantable tree volume removed in 1994) treatment plots (0.25 ha) replicated in eight blocks, at each of two sites (18 ha).
Use prescribed fire: effect on understory plants

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1994-2003 in savanna woodland in West Africa (Savadogo et al. 2008) found no effect of annual prescribed fire on herbaceous species richness or diversity. Numbers of species (unburned: 13-16; burned: 14-16/0.25 ha) and diversity (Shannon's index unburned: 2.4-2.8; burned: 2.7-2.9) was similar between treatments. Data were collected in 2003 in two control (unburned) and two burned treatment plots (0.25 ha) replicated in eight blocks, at each of two sites (18 ha). Annual prescribed fires were carried out at the end of the rainy season in 1994-2003.