FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Danthonia compressa | Mountain Oatgrass 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire probably kills the culms and leaves of mountain oatgrass.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Dormant seeds in the soil or litter germinate after fire.  Mountain
oatgrass seedlings began growing 1 week after a spring fire on Gregory
Bald in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park [18].  Poverty grass, a
close relative of mountain oatgrass, regenerated from a seedbank after
fire on an upland site in Michigan [22].



DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Prescribed fire is used to maintain grassy balds in the southern
Appalachian Mountains.  Woody species are invading many grassy balds
because of fire suppression and decreased grazing [18].  Prescribed
burning was as effective as mowing in preventing woody species
establishment in Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.
Biomass in the area prescribed burned in April was equal to the unburned
control by the end of the summer [7].

Grassy balds respond well to fall fires.  The fuel is less compact and
favorable weather conditions last longer in the fall than in the spring
[18].

Related categories for Species: Danthonia compressa | Mountain Oatgrass