Alternative ®re resistance strategies in savanna trees

Abstract Bark properties (mainly thickness) are usually presented as the main explanation for tree survival in intense fires. Savanna fires are mild, frequent, and supposed to aect tree recruitment rather than adult survival: trunk profile and growth rate of young trees between two successive fires can also aect survival. These factors and fire severity were measured on a sample of 20 trees near the recruitment stage of two savanna species chosen for their contrasted fire resis-tance strategies (Crossopteryx febrifuga and Piliostigma thonningii). Crossopteryx has a higher intrinsic resistance to fire (bark properties) than Piliostigma: a 20-mm-di-ameter stem of Crossopteryx survives exposure to 650°C, while Piliostigma needs a diameter of at least 40 mm to survive. Crossopteryx has a thicker trunk than Pilio-stigma: for two trees of the same height, the basal diameter of Crossopteryx will be 1.6 times greater. Pi-liostigma grows 2.26 times faster than Crossopteryx be-tween two successive fires. The two species have dierent fire resistance strategies: one relies on resistance of aboveground structures to fire, while the other relies on its ability to quickly re-build aboveground structures. Crossopteryx is able to recruit in almost any fire condi-tions while Piliostigma needs locally or temporarily milder fire conditions. In savannas, fire resistance is a complex property which cannot be assessed simply by measuring only one of its components, such as bark thickness. Bark properties, trunk profile and growth rate define strategies of fire resistance. Fire resistance may interact with competition: we suggest that dierences in fire resistance strategies have important eects on the structure and dynamics of savanna ecosystems. Key words Crossopteryx febrifuga á Piliostigma thonningii á Recruitment á Fire temperature á Humid savann