Author: Dix, R.L.
Description: The results are reported of a preliminary quantitative study of the species composition, herbage production and mulch structure on natural grasslands following fire of known age in western N. Dakota. Partner pairs of stands, one burned and the other unburned, were sampled. The frequency values of most spp. were relatively similar on burned and unburned partner stands, except in one pair of stands where Artemisia glauca[Artemisia dracunculus] had a higher frequency in the burned than in the unburned stand and Lactuca pulchella, Calamovilfa longifolia and Selaginella densa had higher frequences in the unburned partner. The greatest differences in species composition were found on the oldest burn, suggesting a lag in the adjustment of perennial spp. to the fire-modified environment. On a Stipa comata stand burned in 1954, the mulch structure had completely recovered by the end of the 4th growing season following the burn. The mulch structure on a burned Agropyron smithii stand also appeared to be making a rapid recovery, although at a somewhat slower rate than in the Stipa stand. This difference appeared to be due to heavier and more recent grazing on the Agropyron stand and also to an inherently slower recovery rate of the Agropyron community. Data are given on the annual herbage production and amounts of fresh and humic mulch accumulated since burning in the 3 communities studied. These results are compared with those of a previous study on two isolated mesas in western N. Dakota. The accumulation of fresh and humic mulches did not retard herbage production in either the Stipa or Agropyron communities. Light grazing tended to increase the amount of humic mulch and decrease the amount of fresh mulch on a stand, while moderate grazing tended to decrease both the fresh and humic mulch weights. F. s.-A.M.H.
Subject headings:
Publication year: 1960
Journal or book title: Ecology
Volume: 41
Issue: 1
Pages: 49-56
Find the full text :Â https://www.jstor.org/stable/1931938
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Type: Journal Article
Serial number: 1869