FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Nolina microcarpa | Sacahuista 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
The immediate effect of fire on sacahuista is partial or complete crown
removal, depending on fire severity [32].  A cool fire will remove part
of the crown and result in little or no mortality of mature plants, and
a minor loss of young plants.  A moderate to hot fire results in a high
loss of young plants, and greater than 10 percent mortality of mature
plants [16].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
Mature plants have large amounts of cured foliage which burns hot.  The
heat influx or burning of the caudex can severely damage or kill the
plant [16].


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
After a moderate fire in an oak/juniper woodland, sacahuista was much
reduced.  Ten percent of the mature plants died immediately after the
fire, and another 10 percent succumbed after a feeble attempt to
resprout.  Another 15 percent were in such a weakened condition that
survival after the study was doubtful.  Two years after the fire, only
13 percent had fully recovered [16].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Fire can be an effective tool for improving range quality by deterring
the spread of sacahuista [16].  Fire would open up the range for the
growth of more desirable forage plants for livestock and wildlife [32].

Related categories for Species: Nolina microcarpa | Sacahuista