FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Mahonia trifoliolata | Agarito 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Relatively frequent fires in western Texas rangeland tend to favor
climax grass species [10].  Fire suppression and vegetative changes
brought about by overgrazing have contributed to the invasion of woody
species such as agarito [12].  Fine fuels have been reduced by both
grazing and fire suppression and competition from grasses has decreased.

Agarito generally sprouts from the roots or root crown after a single
fire [11,19].  Growth in large mottes affords some protection from fire.
Although the outer portion is commonly destroyed, centers of large
mottes are often undamaged.  Seed from adjacent unburned areas may be
dispersed onto burned sites by birds and mammals.  Some postfire
seedling establishment is possible.


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Tall shrub, adventitious-bud root crown
   Small shrub, adventitious-bud root crown
   Geophyte, growing points deep in soil

Related categories for Species: Mahonia trifoliolata | Agarito