Fire effects and vegetation response in a Madrean oak woodland, southeastern Arizona

TitleFire effects and vegetation response in a Madrean oak woodland, southeastern Arizona
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication1994
AuthorsCaprio, A
DegreeM.S.
UniversityUniversity of Arizona
Abstract

Following a June wildfire on the south slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains, vegetation was sampled to determine how composition, and fine fuels were affected. Spring and fall samples were taken in burned and unburned plots at three sites on south, east and north aspects. Twenty-one common species were selected for intensive analysis.

Burning caused compositional changes with the most significant occurring on the north slope. Woody species and Selaginella were reduced while herbaceous species recovered rapidly. Total cover was generally greater in burned than unburned areas by 2$1\over2$ yr postfire. Recovery was rapid on south slopes dominated by herbaceous perennials and slower on north slopes dominated by woody species and Selaginella preburn. Oaks resprouted well after being topkilled, with Quercus oblongifolia more resistant than Q. emoryi to fire injury. Total herbaceous and litter biomass varied between 272-622 g$\cdot$m$\sp{-2}$ at unburned and 253-370 g$\cdot$m$\sp{-2}$ at burned sites 2$1\over2$ yr postfire.

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