Influence du feu et du pâturage sur l'évolution de la phytomasse d'une savane à Heteropogon contortus de la région de Sakaraha (sud-ouest de Madagascar)

Abstract

Effects of Fire and Grazing on Grass Phytomass Evolution in a Heteropogon contortus Savanna (Sakaraha Region, South West Madagascar). An experimental study of the effects of fire and grazing was carried out in the Sakaraha area (S. W. Madagascar). The objectives were to evaluate the combined or separate effects of fire and grazing on the green biomass and total phytomass of a Heteropogon contortus-Poupartia caffra dominated savanna. Three burning treatments (no burning, early burning and late burning) and two grazing treatments (grazed, ungrazed) were compared. A three-year study showed that (1) both burning treatments led to a delayed vegetation phenophase but a higher standing phytomass at the end of the growth cycle, (2) grazing treatment led to a significant decrease of the standing phytomass and of the contribution of Poaceae.

Keywords

• Savanna
• Fire
• Pasture
• Production
• South
• West Madagascar