Effects of dormant-season fire at three different fire frequencies in shortgrass steppe of the southern Great Plains

Paulette L. Ford; Carleton S. White

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Effects of dormant-season fire at three different fire frequencies in shortgrass steppe of the southern Great Plains

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Paulette L. Ford, Carleton S. White

Year:

2008

Type:

Paper

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

In: Masters, R. E.; Galley, K.E.M., eds. Proceedings of the 23rd Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference: Fire in Grassland and Shrubland Ecosystems. Tallahassee, FL: Tall Timbers Research Station. p. 71.

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Abstract

Prior to proceeding with large-scale fire reintroduction as a grassland management option, appropriate fire frequencies need to be determined. This research experimentally tested the effects of dormant-season fire on ground cover and on plant and soil nutrient cycling in shortgrass steppe at three different fire frequencies. The objective was to determine if fire return interval had detrimental effects on soil fertility and perennial grass cover relative to untreated grassland.

Keywords

dormant-season fire, fire frequencies, shortgrass steppe, southern Great Plains

Citation

Ford, Paulette L.; White, Carleton S. 2008. Effects of dormant-season fire at three different fire frequencies in shortgrass steppe of the southern Great Plains. In: Masters, R. E.; Galley, K.E.M., eds. Proceedings of the 23rd Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference: Fire in Grassland and Shrubland Ecosystems. Tallahassee, FL: Tall Timbers Research Station. p. 71.