FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Balsamorhiza sagittata | Arrowleaf Balsamroot 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Arrowleaf balsamroot is reported to be undamaged [21] or slightly
damaged [25] by fire.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
Arrowleaf balsamroot in Nevada was killed by an August fire, probably as
a result of unusually intense soil heating caused by the burnout of
adjacent woody sagebrush fuels [37].


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Arrowleaf balsamroot increases in frequency and density after fire [18].
Existing plants recover rapidly following fire, but an increase in the
number of plants must await seed prodction [34].  Increase in plant
numbers is especially evident after fire in degraded plant communities
[36].  Arrowleaf balsamroot is reported to reestablish to preburn levels
within 2 to 5 years in northern Idaho [20].  Arrowleaf balsamroot on a
burned area in north-central Idaho averaged 22 percent taller than
unburned plants [18].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
Arrowleaf balsamroot often becomes a visual dominant after a fire and
produces more biomass than unburned plants [3].  Increased densities
have been observed by the second growing season after a fire [35].
Plants reproduce slowly until the community becomes closed.
Productivity and basal cover of arrowleaf balsamroot are then reduced as
perennial grassses and shrubs dominate.  Balsamroot may remain in the
community a long time in a suppressed state until another fire occurs
[3].


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Balsamorhiza sagittata | Arrowleaf Balsamroot