Fire Frequency Affects Structure and Composition of Xeric Forests of Eastern Oklahoma

Burton, Jesse A.; Hallgren, Stephen W.; Palmer, Michael W.

doi:10.3375/043.030.0401

Cited by 30 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The positive responses of forb and C3 graminoid cover and richness and of total understory cover and diversity to increased fire frequency in our study may have resulted, in part, from the significant reduction in density of saplings and shrubs [1.4 m tall at fire frequencies between two and five fires per decade reported elsewhere (Burton et al 2010). A previous study in longleaf pine woodlands in Florida, USA found a reduction in litter production from saplings and shrubs due to their removal by prescribed burning benefitted understory herbaceous plants (Hiers et al 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…Fire at frequencies of less than two fires per decade led to declines in herbaceous vegetation most likely due to increased woody shrub and sapling diversity and density (Burton et al 2010). More frequent fire, up to five fires per decade, benefited diversity and biomass of some herbaceous species and disadvantaged woody shrubs and saplings (Burton et al 2010). This information provides the land manager the knowledge to use prescribed fire to create a diverse landscape with patches of vegetation in different conditions depending on the fire frequency.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…This study was conducted in an area where prescribed fire had been used for 20 years at frequencies from zero to five fires per decade. A recent study at this location showed prescribed fires did not affect overstory trees even after 20 years of burning at the highest frequency (Burton et al 2010). In contrast, density and species diversity of mid-story woody saplings and shrubs were reduced by fire frequencies greater than two per decade.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…), black hickory (Carya texana Buckley), and winged elm (Ulmus alata Michx.) (Burton et al 2010). Mean annual temperature is 16.1°C, and mean monthly temperatures are in the range of 33.9°C in July to -3.9°C in January.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 98%

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Understory response to varying fire frequencies after 20 years of prescribed burning in an upland oak forest

et al. 2011

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Ecosystems in the eastern United States that were shaped by fire over thousands of years of anthropogenic burning recently have been subjected to fire suppression resulting in significant changes in vegetation composition and structure and encroachment by invasive species. Renewed interest in use of fire to manage such ecosystems will require knowledge of effects of fire regime on vegetation. We studied the effects of one aspect of the fire regime, fire frequency, on biomass, cover and diversity of understory vegetation in upland oak forests prescribeburned for 20 years at different frequencies ranging from zero to five fires per decade. Overstory canopy closure ranged from 88 to 96% and was not affected by fire frequency indicating high tolerance of large trees for even the most frequent burning. Understory species richness and cover was dominated by woody reproduction followed in descending order by forbs, C3 graminoids, C4 grasses, and legumes. Woody plant understory cover did not change with fire frequency and increased 30% from one to three years after a burn. Both forbs and C3 graminoids showed a linear increase in species richness and cover as fire frequency increased. In contrast, C4 grasses and legumes did not show a response to fire frequency. The reduction of litter by fire may have encouraged regeneration of herbaceous plants and helped explain the positive response of forbs and C3 graminoids to increasing fire frequency. Our results showed that herbaceous biomass, cover, and diversity can be managed with long-term prescribed fire under the closed canopy of upland oak forests.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 98%

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Understory response to varying fire frequencies after 20 years of prescribed burning in an upland oak forest

et al. 2011

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“…Recognition of this nonlinearity deepens our appreciation of the complexity of the oak-fire relationship. Whereas repeated fire may enhance oak regeneration potential, it can also reduce it if surviving oak stems do not have a sufficiently long fire-free interval to grow past the sapling size class and recruit into the overstory (Dey and Fan 2009, Burton et al 2010, Fan et al 2012.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Wildfire Recency and Frequency on an Appalachian Oak Forest

Gundy

Wood

Rentch

2015

Journal of Forestry

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Cabwaylingo State Forest in southern West Virginia has experienced numerous anthropogenic wildfires over the past 36 years. In this case study, we assessed the relationship between fire frequency and recency and stand composition and structure, with emphasis on oak and its competitors. Frequent and recent fire was significantly correlated with reduced red maple overstory stem density and basal area. Overstory oak density did not significantly vary with either fire frequency or recency. Total overstory basal area was greatest in areas of either no fire or nonrecent fire. Oak sapling density was significantly greater with high frequency and recent fire. Red maple sapling densities were greatest when fires were infrequent and recent, and red maple seedlings were greatest in no fire and low-frequency nonrecent fire areas. Our results suggest that recurring fire can enhance the development of large oak advanced reproduction. However, frequent fires without a sufficient fire-free interval could prevent the recruitment of oaks into the overstory.

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Ecological value of retaining pyrophytic oaks in longleaf pine ecosystems

et al. 2014

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Species intolerant to fire, defined as lacking adaptations needed to establish dominance in a frequently burned landscape, are found within fire‐prone ecosystems globally. Such species are frequently targeted for reduction or eradication to further conservation or restoration of biological diversity because the dominant paradigm in restoration of fire‐dependent communities is to reduce the dominance or eliminate fire‐intolerant invaders. To explore this paradigm, we examined the role of oaks (Quercus spp.) within fire‐dependent upland and sandhill longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems of the southeastern United States. These pine‐oak ecosystems have among the highest levels of biodiversity in the temperate zone. This diversity is inextricably linked to a frequent fire regime and includes many species readily top‐killed by fire, particularly oaks, which were common in the early settlement landscape. In examining the diversity of oak species found within longleaf pine ecosystems, we identify a group of pyrophytic oaks and show that these oaks are critical components of sandhill and other longleaf pine ecosystems, and their occurrence should be considered as part of conservation and restoration goals. Providing a better understanding of the ecological role of such species will benefit conservation management and strategic planning in fire‐prone southeastern ecosystems and more broadly where fire is used as a management tool. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.

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Fire Frequency Affects Structure and Composition of Xeric Forests of Eastern Oklahoma

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 30 publications

References 40 publications

Understory response to varying fire frequencies after 20 years of prescribed burning in an upland oak forest

Understory response to varying fire frequencies after 20 years of prescribed burning in an upland oak forest

Impacts of Wildfire Recency and Frequency on an Appalachian Oak Forest

Ecological value of retaining pyrophytic oaks in longleaf pine ecosystems

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