Steppe plant response to seasonal fire

Abstract

Fire is a natural grassland disturbance that affects a variety of ecosystem factors including nutrient cycling, species diversity, and population and community dynamics. Caution is warranted when interpreting the effects of fire on grasslands due to the variety of fire types (e.g. wildfire vs prescribed burn), season of occurrence, weather conditions, grassland uses (e.g. grazing), fire history, and fuel conditions in which a burn can occur. The length of time between fire and post-fire data collection (e.g. months vs years) will also greatly influence perceptions about fire effects (Ford 1999, 2001). However, it is generally understood that grassland fire releases nutrients bound up in organic matter into the soil, and helps to maintain the integrity of grasslands by reducing the establishment of trees and shrubs.

Citation

Ford, Paulette L. 2003. Steppe plant response to seasonal fire. Proceedings of the VIIth International Rangelands Congress, 26th July - 1st August 2003, Durban, South Africa. p. 1125-1131.