• IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT
• DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT
• PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE
• DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE
• FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT:

Fire effects vary with season, severity, and intensity of burn and range from partial destruction to complete destruction of the aboveground crown. Residual seeds may be scarified and germinate, or they may be killed [13,27]. The seeds can survive soil temperatures in excess of 280 degrees Fahrenheit (138 ^oC) and still germinate [27].

DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT:

No entry

PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE:

Fire stimulates Mariposa manzanita seeds stored in the soil to germinate [5,13,27]. These seeds germinate during postfire year 1, but it may be 10 or more years before seedlings produce seed [5,20].

Biswell [5] reported that Mariposa manzanita seedlings were far more numerous on burned brush plots with no herbaceous cover than on any other plots.

DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE:

No entry

FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS:

Frequent burning of Parry manzanita would prevent seedlings from maturing and reaching seed-bearing age and would gradually reduce the available residual seed stock in the soil. Repeated burning until no seeds remained in the soil would eradicate the shrub from a site [5].

Heavy ash accumulations in the soil resulting from fire may be toxic. This ash may be detrimental to both seed germination and seedling establishment [27].

Related categories for SPECIES: Arctostaphylos manzanita | Parry Manzanita