FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Panicum virgatum | Switchgrass 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
During grassland fires, the fire front passes quickly and temperatures 1
inch (2.5 cm) below the soil surface rise very little [42].  Because the
rhizomes of sod-forming switchgrass ecotypes typically occur at depths
of 2 to 5 inches (5-12 cm) [77], they are unharmed by the heat of fire.
Plants burned during the spring when dormant send up vigorous new growth
from these surviving rhizomes.  Rhizomes survive summer fires also, but
postfire tiller density may be reduced because of low carbohydrate
reserves and damage to aboveground apical meristems [see Fire Effects On
Plant].

Some bunch-forming switchgrass ecotypes are not well adapted for fire
survival [see Fire Effects On Plant].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Rhizomatous herb, rhizome in soil

Related categories for Species: Panicum virgatum | Switchgrass