FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Sporobolus heterolepis | Prairie Dropseed 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire top-kills prairie dropseed [1,2,3,7,10,16,17].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Prairie dropseed sprouts and generally increases following fire
[1,2,3,7,10, 16,17].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
In most prescribed burning studies prairie dropseed was shown to
increase in flower production, height, and cover.  It has been described
as an increaser following spring or winter fires [17].  Following an
April wildfire in Wisconsin, flower production increased by 25 times,
cover by 30 times, and average plant height by 4 inches (10 cm) [7].
Other studies on the effects of prescribed burning have shown similar
results [3,10].  Prairie dropseed appears to increase when burned during
winter and spring and decrease when burned during summer or fall [2,16].
Annual fires are less beneficial to prairie dropseed than fires
conducted every 2 to 3 years [1].


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
On prairie sites in Iowa, burning in early spring, after vegetation has
dried but while soils are still frozen, has been recommended [10].
Timing of the burn is important; burning too early may expose soils to
late winter storms, while burning too late may damage emerging plants.

Related categories for Species: Sporobolus heterolepis | Prairie Dropseed