FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Deschampsia elongata | Slender Hairgrass 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Perennial grasses are generally top-killed by fire so slender hairgrass
is probably top-killed by fire.  Its densely tufted growth form may
protect regenerative tissues from fires that are not severe.  Specific
fire effects, however, are not described in the literature.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Studies of larch-Douglas-fir forest succession were conducted at Miller
Creek on the Flathead National Forest in Montana.  Eight study areas
were clearcut and then slashed to provide a uniform fuel bed.  Most
units were broadcast burned within 1 year after timber harvest.  Slender
hairgrass was a component of two units:  N-7 and S-1.  The N-7 unit was
logged in January of 1967, slashed in February of 1967, and
broadcast-burned June 18, 1968.  Postfire duff depth was 1.8 inches (4.5
cm), 51 percent of prefire depth.  The S-1 unit was logged in June 1967,
slashed in June 1967, and broadcast burned May 18, 1968.  Postfire duff
depth was 1.7 inches (4.3 cm), 84 percent of prefire depth.  Slender
hairgrass was not in the prefire community and was reported in only 2 of
the 9 postfire years.  Cover and volume development of slender hairgrass
were as follows [32]:

           Cover development of slender hairgrass (sq m/0.01 ha or %)

                                 succession year
                pre    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9  

N-7              0     0    0    0    0    0    0    3    2    0
S-1              0     0    0    0    0    0    0    1    0    0

            Volume development of slender hairgrass (cubic m/0.01 ha)

                                 succession year
                pre    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9

N-7              0     0    0    0    0    0    0   0.5  0.2   0
S-1              0     0    0    0    0    0    0   0.2   0    0
   


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Deschampsia elongata | Slender Hairgrass