FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Leymus ambiguus | Colorado Wildrye 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Colorado wildrye typically forms small, loosely caespitose bunches that
grow in close aggreagation [1,12].  Such attributes suggest that this
bunchgrass burns rather quickly, with little heat transferred downward
into the crown [20].  As a result, basal buds located at or just below
the surface of the ground are not subjected to prolonged heating and
probably survive and resprout.  The rhizomatous nature of plants
occupying more mesic situations also suggests that this species is
somewhat resistant to fire mortality.  [For fire effects information on
a morphologically similar bunchgrass see Leymus cinereus write-up].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
The steep, xeric nature of many of the sites characterized by this
perennial bunchgrass [1,11].  However, since plants typically occupy
rocky hillsides that may have burned less frequently but perhaps more
severely than surrounding areas, postburn reestablishment and response
may be somewhat different than that of basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus),
a morphologically similar bunchgrass adapted to saline and/or alkaline
lowland and upland sites in the Great Basin.  Fire response information
for basin wildrye is summarized in the FEIS write-up for Lyemus
cinereus.  The degree to which this information can be applied to
Colordo wildrye is not known at this time.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Leymus ambiguus | Colorado Wildrye