• IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT
• DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT
• PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE
• DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE
• FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
• FIRE CASE STUDIES

IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT:

Generally, the aboveground vegetation of needlegrass species is consumed by fire. When fire severity is high, heat may be transferred below the soil surface further damaging or killing the plant. Two related species, needle-and-thread grass and Thurber needlegrass, exhibited subsurface charring following a fire in sagebrush/grassland in southern Idaho [68].

DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT:

No entry

PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE:

Letterman's needlegrass is nonrhizomatous, therefore postfire regeneration is through seed and tillering. The specific effect of fire on Letterman's needlegrass has not been well documented. Most needlegrasses are damaged by fire, especially within the 1st year [34,69]. Basal area and phytomass of most needlegrasses are often reduced by fire, with basal area commonly being reduce by as much as 50%. Plant vigor may be reduced for a period of 1 to 4 years, depending on species. Most needlegrass plants with a lower ratio of dead to living plant material and less fuel volume generally respond more favorably to fire than do larger plants [68].

Wright [67] found that in an areas where precipitation averages 20 inches (508 mm) per year, bunchgrasses may recover in 1 to 3 years following a fire.

DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE:

No entry

FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS:

In sagebrush/grass communities in Idaho, fire depletes the perennial grasses. This effect can be short-term or as long as 25 years. The vigor of the perennials is decreased when burned in late May or early June. Late summer or early fall fires are less damaging [68].

Related categories for SPECIES: Achnatherum lettermanii | Letterman Needlegrass