FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Arnica cordifolia | Heartleaf Arnica 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Heartleaf arnica is top-killed by fire.  Rhizomes often survive.  It is
rated as susceptible [7,31] to intermediate [24] in resistance to fire
damage.  This probably varies according to how far below the soil
surface rhizomes are buried.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Heartleaf arnica is apparently reduced by "high intensity" fires
[24,30], but responds to "less intense" fires through rapid initial
vegetative regrowth accompanied by heavy flowering and seedling
establishment [24,42].  This is typically followed by a decline in cover
and frequency within a few years [17].  Heartleaf arnica had the highest
frequency and cover of all forbs 2 years following a severe fire
(greater than 90 percent mortality of all trees) in a spruce-fir
(Picea-Abies) ecosystem in Wyoming [3].  Frequency and cover values
increased for 2 years following logging and broadcast burning in a
Douglas-fir habitat type in Idaho.  This trend was followed by a decline
to 0 percent cover by postfire year 10 [17].

According to Barth, light, moisture, and soil depth are important
factors determining the postfire density of heartleaf arnica [4].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Arnica cordifolia | Heartleaf Arnica