FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Rubus ursinus | Trailing Blackberry 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Trailing blackberry is a common invader on recently burned sites in the
Pacific Northwest [16,39,53].  Populations are capable of dramatic and
rapid expansion on disturbed sites [25,66] through sprouting or seedling
establishment [9,16].  Belowground regenerative structures are generally
well protected from the harmful effects of heat and permit rapid
recovery where trailing blackberry plants were present in the preburn
community.  Seedbanking is also an important postfire regenerative
strategy [52].  Seeds accumulate in the soil or duff, remaining viable
long after this seral species has been eliminated from mature forest
communities.  Seeds commonly germinate in great abundance after fire.
The relatively large, sweet, succulent fruit of blackberries amply
"reward" animal dispersers [40], and some postfire dispersal of seed
from off-site is probable.


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Tall shrub, adventitious-bud root crown
   Rhizomatous shrub, rhizome in soil
   Geophyte, growing points deep in soil
   Ground residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)
   Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)

Related categories for Species: Rubus ursinus | Trailing Blackberry