AllRefer - Species: Green Needlegrass | Nassella viridula: FIRE CASE STUDIES


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You are here >1Up Info > Wildlife, Animals, and Plants > Plant Species > Graminoid > SPECIES: Nassella viridula | Green Needlegrass

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FIRE CASE STUDY

SPECIES: Nassella viridula | Green Needlegrass

CASE NAME
REFERENCE
FIRE CASE STUDY AUTHORSHIP
SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION
STUDY LOCATION
PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY
TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE
SITE DESCRIPTION
FIRE DESCRIPTION
FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES
FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION:

late spring, May 13-16, 1980 / not determined
summer, June 16, 1980 / not determined

STUDY LOCATION:

The burn occurred on the Samuel H. Ordway Memorial Prairie in north-central South Dakota, 6.2 miles (10 km) west of Leola.

Preburn vegetation comprised species occurring in the prairie pothole region of the northern mixed-grass prairie. Associated plants included western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), needle-and-thread grass (Hesperostipa comata), green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis).

TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE:
Plants were in "a depressed state of vigor", probably due to excess litter and mulch accumulation.

SITE DESCRIPTION:

Mean annual precipitation: 19.8 inches (502 mm); cool-season precipitation (September-May) was 33% below average for 1980-1981.
Soils: Williams loams (silty range site) and Bowbells loams (overflow range site). The Williams soils are fine-loamy, mixed Typic Argiborolls. The Bowbells soils are fine-loamy, mixed Pachic Argiborolls.

FIRE DESCRIPTION:

Plots were burned with a headfire after a base control line was established with a backfire. Plots were burned on May 15 and June 16, 1980. Burning conditions were as follows:

	Wind	Air temperature	Relative humidity
May 13-16, 1980	3-13 km/h	39.2 to 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (4-19 ^oC)	23-45%
June 16, 1980	0-24 km/h	68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (20-30 ^oC)	42-66%

FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES:

The June burn effects appeared more evident. In 1980, green needlegrass produced less growth on the burned plots when compared to the unburned plots. However, in 1981, green needlegrass produced as much growth on burned as unburned plots.

Spring growth was consumed by the fire and some plants were killed. Leaf length, number of inflorescences and basal area were decreased by burning. Individuals that survived the fire had as much or more growth than those on the unburned plot 1 year postfire. Measured fire effects were:

Measured August 8-11, 1980	May 13-16	June 16	control
leaf length (cm)	24.7	23.3	41.1
inflorescences/m²	2.8	0.0	16.8
basal area (cm²)	10.3	6.9	20.8
Measured August 8-11, 1981	May 13-16	June 16	control
leaf length (cm)	38.9	37.3	57.5
inflorescences/m²	32.9	34.0	19.7
basal area (cm²)	12.3	7.8	6.5

FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS:

Spring burning can yield a reduction in Kentucky bluegrass, but also leads to a decreased vigor of green needlegrass. If the objective is to control of Kentucky bluegrass, burning in dry years, prior to warm-season tallgrass emergence (mid-May), may be recommended. Burning in mid-May, if cool-season precipitation is below average, is not recommended if an increase in forage production is desired. In drought years, burning after the emergence of warm-season grasses is not recommended.

Related categories for SPECIES: Nassella viridula | Green Needlegrass


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Content on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. We accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from information published on this site. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities. Information Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Fire Effects Information System

FIRE CASE STUDY

CASE NAME:

REFERENCE:

FIRE CASE STUDY AUTHORSHIP:

SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION:

STUDY LOCATION:

PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY:

TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE:
Plants were in "a depressed state of vigor", probably due to excess litter and mulch accumulation.

SITE DESCRIPTION:

FIRE DESCRIPTION:

FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES:

FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS:

Related categories for SPECIES: Nassella viridula | Green Needlegrass

FIRE CASE STUDY

TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE: Plants were in "a depressed state of vigor", probably due to excess litter and mulch accumulation. SITE DESCRIPTION:

Related categories for SPECIES: Nassella viridula | Green Needlegrass

TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE:
Plants were in "a depressed state of vigor", probably due to excess litter and mulch accumulation.

SITE DESCRIPTION: