FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Polygonum spp. | Smartweed 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire top-kills smartweed.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Smartweeds usually sprout from seeds following fire.  They tend to
reproduce more after severe burns than after light burns [1,10].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
P. cilinode, an annual, has been known to colonize severely burned sites
in the forests of northeastern Minnesota [1].  August wildfires in the
pine forests of northern Minnesota resulted in an increase of P.
cilinode from zero percent cover on the unburned sites to 36 percent
ground cover on the burned sites [4].  P. bistortoides was present
following wildfires in krummholz and alpine meadows of the central Rocky
Mountains [7].  P. convolvulus sprouted from seed following a May
prescribed burn in shrub communities of central Alberta.  However, this
species was only prevalent for the first postfire year [3].

Fire was simulated in northern Alberta wetlands to monitor its potential
effects on the plant community.  Here, P. amphibium was almost equal in
percent cover for the three treatments: no burn, "light burn," and
"deep" burn in willow (Salix spp.) savanna zones [21].  ("Deep burns"
had the first 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) of soil removed and the new
surface burned with a propane torch for 1 minute; "light burns" had some
soil removed and the new surface lightly burned with a propane torch).
In the pinegrass (Calamagrostis spp.) zones of these same Alberta
wetlands, P. amphibium was found in trace amounts on the unburned and
lightly burned sites, and not at all on the "deeply" burned sites.

Prescribed fires on sagebrush (Artemesia spp.)-grass (Poaceae) ranges in
northern Idaho showed significant differences in P. douglasii cover
between the light to moderately burned and severely burned sites [8].
Only 7 pounds/acre (7.83 kg/ha) of this species was found on unburned
sites, while 26 pounds/acre (29 kg/ha) were found on severely burned
sites.  Smaller differences in cover were shown for light and moderately
burned areas compared to unburned sites.


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Where smartweed is a desired waterfowl food fire can be used to
stimulate the growth of smartweeds while reducing competition from sedge
(Carex spp.), cattail (Typha spp.), and giant reed (Phragmites spp.)
[23].

Related categories for Species: Polygonum spp. | Smartweed