FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Buchloe dactyloides | Buffalo Grass 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Fire was an essential component of presettlement prairie ecosystems
[6,18,76,82,99,116].  Prior to European settlement, buffalo grass
probably burned in all seasons [12].  Areas dominated by warm-season
grasses such as buffalo grass can carry fire even in winter and early
spring [12], and Native Americans apparently burned various portions of
the prairie year-round [7].

Buffalo grass survives grassland fire by several mechanisms.  Vegetative
regeneration is probably most important.  Basal meristems are generally
protected from grassland fire by soil and/or damp litter.  Some stolon
apices are usually protected by damp litter [107].  Buffalo grass
regenerates after fire by basal tillering and sprouting from unburned
stolon buds.  Recovery time greatly accelerates when plants become
vigorous enough to spread by stolons.  Buffalo grass also regenerates
from seed following fire [108].  Because it is enclosed in a bur,
buffalo grass seed is more protected from fire than seed of most grass
species.  Buffalo grass burs have been shown to greatly reduce fire and
heat damage to enclosed seed [76].  Regeneration from seed is slower
than vegetative regeneration, however, and is probably most important
when severe fire has killed a large proportion of stolon and basal buds.


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Caudex, growing points in soil
   Ground residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)

Related categories for Species: Buchloe dactyloides | Buffalo Grass