ABSTRACT
Fire is a driving ecological force on East African mountains, as thoroughly documented by Beck et al. (1986), Schmitt (1991), Miehe and Miehe (1994), Lange et al. (1997), Wesche et al. (2000), and Hemp and Beck (2001). The impact of fire on vegetation depends largely on the type of vegetation. Savannas have been influenced by fire for millennia while at the same time remaining stable ecosystems (Eva and Lambin 2000) containing many fire-adapted species. By contrast, fire acts as an ecological transformation factor in forests.
