FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Carex pensylvanica | Yellow Sedge 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fires typically top-kill yellow sedge.  In the plains, the heat of
combustion is confined entirely to the surface, thus not damaging the
rhizomes [21].  However, yellow sedge does not do well after hot fires
because its roots and rhizomes do not penetrate deep into the soil [1].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Yellow sedge exploits fire-generated gaps in the litter layer through
aggressive clonal propagation [26].  Recovery is usually within 1 or 2
years [34].  Seed germination also occurs but is rare.  There is no
information regarding fire stimulation of seed germination.

In lower north Michigan, yellow sedge is less dominant on burned sites
than on clearcut sites.  Fire does not appear to result in "regressive
succession" (See Successional Status slot) [1].  Some sources report
yellow sedge as a fire persister [30].  Others report yellow sedge as a
fire decreaser or increaser [8,22].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
The information regarding postfire response of yellow sedge is
contradictory.  In oak woods, increases in yellow sedge following
burning have been reported; these increases may have been related to an
increase in soil pH [15,35].  Yellow sedge is abundant following
prescribed fires where trees and shrubs have failed to sprout [10].  In
central Minnesota, nominal decreases in yellow sedge were reported [22].
At a site in North dakota, there were no significant increases or
decreases in comparison to unburned stands [15].
 


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
In restoration of prairie vegetation, burning every 3 to 5 years
discourages woody vegetation and encourages grasses and forbs, including
yellow sedge.  Mid to late summer fires appear to benefit cool season
graminoids the most.  Spring fires do not benefit yellow sedge and can
be more harmful to wildlife and more explosive than summer fires [7].

Related categories for Species: Carex pensylvanica | Yellow Sedge