Characterizing post-fire recovery of fynbos vegetation in the Western Cape Region of South Africa using MODIS data

Abstract

Post-fire recovery trajectories of five fynbos vegetation stands in the Western Cape Region of South Africa were characterized using moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) 250 m data. Indices of NDVI recovery relative to pre-fire values or values from unburnt control plots indicated full recovery within 7 years and particularly rapid recovery in the first two post-fire years. Intra-stand variability of pixel NDVIs generally increased after fires and also exhibited a rapid recovery to pre-fire conditions. While stand age was the dominant determinant of NDVI recovery, drought interrupted the recovery pathways and this effect was amplified on drier, equator-facing slopes. Post-fire recovery characteristics of fynbos NDVI were found to be similar to those documented for chaparral vegetation in California despite contrasting rainfall and soil nutrient conditions in the two regions.

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Land Cover Land Use Change Program (grant no. NNG05GR14G). We gratefully acknowledge the assistance provided by the South African Agricultural Research Council, Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (Terrence Newby, Talita Germishuyse and Ian Kotze) and by Andrew Wannenburg of the Working for Water Programme, South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.