The most common alien plants are the Australian wattles like Rooikrans, Port Jackson and Black Wattle. These aliens spread unchecked in the fynbos in a number of ways and are often referred to as plant invaders. Fynbos is also threatened by uncontrolled veld fires. However, periodic veld fires are a natural ecological factor and the fynbos has adapted itself to veld fires caused by lightning and falling rocks as well as man. Fynbos is dependent on periodic fires for the regeneration of many plant species.
Some species sprout from underground organs after a fire.
Other species, like most proteas and heaths, which are killed by fires, depend for their continued existence on the seed which germinates after a fire. By means of controlled veld burning, the regeneration of fynbos species is thus ensured. Many species of fynbos have become extinct in recent years and as a result the conservation of fynbos has become imperative. Conservation of fynbos is necessary because.