FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Alnus viridis ssp. crispa | American Green Alder 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
American green alder does not burn easily, and dense stands can
sometimes prevent fire spread [35,45].  However, light- to
moderate-severity fires can kill aerial portions, and high-severity
fires can remove the organic layer and leave charred roots exposed,
eliminating sprouting from underground parts [60].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
American green alder sprouts from the root crown following fire
[33,35,45].  The sprouting response is usually immediate and generally
results in an increased number of plants [35,45,58].  American green
alder also reestablishes by seed dispersed from adjacent, unburned
areas.  Green alder is abundant in areas with a history of frequent
fires.  This nitrogen-fixing alder may be favored over other invading
species by severe fires that remove the surface organic matter [42].
Alder invasion and persistence are favored by fire, but total recovery
is slow [16,21,24].  One study in central Alberta showed prefire
American green alder cover to be 36 percent, while 1 year later it was
only 4 percent [16].  Repeated fires near treeline and in wet sites can
result in thickets of American green alder [23].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Alnus viridis ssp. crispa | American Green Alder