FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Poa pratensis | Kentucky Bluegrass 



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 [24].  During a
late April prescribed fire in an oak savanna in Minnesota, where
Kentucky bluegrass formed an almost complete sod between bunches of
native tallgrasses, temperatures immediately below the soil surface
rarely exceeded 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51 deg C) [108].  Located a
couple of inches below the soil surface, Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes
survive and initiate new growth after aboveground plant portions are
consumed by fire.  Although the plant survives because of soil-insulated
rhizomes, postfire plant vigor and density are greatly affected by
phenological stage at time of burning (see Fire Effects On Plant).

Seedling establishment is unimportant in immediate postfire recovery.
However, burning may enhance seed germination of Kentucky bluegrass
during the second postfire growing season.  On an Iowa prairie
codominated by big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii),
indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and Kentucky bluegrass, Kentucky
bluegrass seedlings were more abundant in 1986 on plots burned in May,
June, August, or November of 1985 than on unburned plots [131].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Rhizomatous herb, rhizome in soil

Related categories for Species: Poa pratensis | Kentucky Bluegrass