Can prescribed fires restore C₄grasslands invaded by a C₃woody species and a co‐dominant C₃grass species?

Abstract

Can prescribed fires restore C 4 grasslands invaded by a C 3 woody species and a co-dominant C 3 grass species? Ecosphere 12(12):e03885.

Vertical Brush Sculpting for Heterogeneity in Mesquite Savanna: Implementation and Effect on Grass Production

“…However, in semiarid and arid regions, a more limited application of prescribed fires or other brush treatments has resulted in encroachment of woody species such as mesquite advancing to dense stands of mature trees that negatively affect herbaceous production and diversity ( Ratajczak et al, 2012 ). This transition to a woodland "state" with limited herbaceous fine fuel cannot be easily top-killed by fire ( Briske et al, 2003 ;Briggs et al, 2005 ;Twidwell et al, 2016 ;Ansley et al, 2021 ). Increasing drought from climate change may further reduce herbaceous fine fuel needed for prescribed fires ( Ding and Eldridge, 2019 ).…”

“…Individual plant treatments, either chemical or mechanical, are effective at root-killing mesquite on small land areas ( Hart et al, 2012 ;Lyons and Clayton, 2021 ) but are labor and cost-prohibitive for large pastures. Less expensive treatments such as prescribed fire can effectively be applied on larger land areas, but fire usually root-kills < 5% of mature mesquites and triggers resprouting ( Teague et al, 2001 ;Drewa, 2003 ;Twidwell et al, 2016 ;Ansley et al, 2021 ). Currently, the only economical solution for mesquite woodland to grassland conversion (i.e., > 50% root-kill of mature mesquite) at landscape scale is aerial application of mesquitespecific herbicides ( Ansley and Castellano, 2006 ).…”

Sensitivity of Different Grass Functional Groups to Honey Mesquite Encroachment: Toward Developing a Multiyear Model

“…However, the historical proportion of C 4 midgrasses and C 4 short-grasses in the SGP is unknown. Recent prescribed fire studies that have reduced mesquite cover and increased C 4 midgrass production and basal cover suggest there was a greater abundance of C 4 midgrasses than what is currently found in areas heavily encroached by mesquite (Ansley et al 2021).…”

Grassland Resilience to Woody Encroachment in North America and the Effectiveness of Using Fire in National Parks

“…For shrubs, mesquite (Prosopis spp. ), rough-leaved dogwood (Cornus drummondii), and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) were the most studied encroaching shrubs [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. Juniper (Juniperus spp.…”