The present MSc-Thesis (Diplomarbeit) describes the results of a one-year project about the effects of fire on vegetation, with special focus on the Okavango Delta region, Botswana. The study is based on a new initiated research co-operation between Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) in Maun, Botswana, part of University of Botswana and the Chair of Vegetation Ecology of the Technische Universität München (TUM), Germany funded by Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft within their programme "Forschung für Naturräume" for young scientists. Under the topic "Elements in Conflict - Anthropogenic fires in the RAMSAR-wetland Okavango-Delta (Botswana)", prerequisites were set for future cooperative research projects between HOORC and TUM during August 2000 to August 2001. Besides the theoretical introduction to the ecology of the study area 'Okavango Delta', this period was primarily used to gain first practical experience on the vegetation and the fire ecology of the Okavango Delta during the stays in Botswana in October 2000 and March/April/Mai 2001. These were further used for getting in contacting with local and international researchers, NGOs and the authorities. The study can be used as a scientific basis for further research on fire ecology in southern African savannas, especially in the Okavango Delta region and was admitted to the international research initiative SAFARI 2000.