FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Polystichum munitum | Western Sword Fern 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Western sword fern has two postfire regeneration strategies.  It sprouts
from its stout, woody rhizomes [30].  Additionally, a single western
sword fern frond may produce millions of light wind-borne spores each
year, enabling the species to colonize burn sites [28,57].

Sites where western sword fern is a major understory species are
generally resistant to the effects of fire (Barnett 1984 unpub., cited
in [36]).  


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Rhizomatous herb, rhizome in soil
   Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)
   Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

Related categories for Species: Polystichum munitum | Western Sword Fern