FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Bromus japonicus | Japanese Brome 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Except in wet years, fire tends to reduce Japanese brome populations
[31].  The reduction usually lasts for only 1 or 2 years, however
[31,65].  Some seed is killed by fire, but seedbank reserves,
reproductive capacity, and competitive ability of Japanese brome are
usually sufficient to allow for repopulation of an area within 2 years
unless the site is reburned [69,72,78].

Studies conducted when precipitation was below normal reported
reductions in Japanese brome populations for 2 postfire years [28,30].
Since litter accumulations are more critical for germination and
seedling establishment when precipitation is low, drastic population
reductions can be expected when burning is followed by below-average
precipitation [71].

Fire during wet years may not reduce Japanese brome populations.
Studies conducted during years of high precipitation showed no change in
Japanese brome density the summer after burning [73].

Kirsch and Kruse [44] hypothesized that the successful establishment and
spread of Japanese brome across the Northern Great Plains is a direct
result of fire suppression:  The resulting thicker surface mulch created
a more mesic microenvironment for seeds and seedlings [44,72].  Japanese
brome populations will probably continue to increase in the absence of
fire [71].  In the Flint Hills of Kansas, for example, bluestem
(Andropogon gerardii and Schizachyrium scoparium) prairie grazed and
burned annually has remained in excellent condition, while prairie
grazed but not burned has been invaded by Japanese brome and Kentucky
bluegrass (Poa pratense) [3].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Ground residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)
   Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)

Related categories for Species: Bromus japonicus | Japanese Brome