FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Salix alaxensis | Alaska Willow 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Alaska willow is a fire-adapted species.  Most plants sprout from the
root crown following top-kill by fire [31,47].  Viereck and
Schandelmeier [45] reported that even old, decadent willows produce
sprouts prolifically immediately after fire.  The sprouting ability of
willows is apparently more vigorous and prolific than that of birches
(Betula spp.) or alders (Alnus spp.) [45].

Alaska willow's abundant, wind-dispersed seed is important in colonizing
burned areas.  Seed is dispersed in the summer and remains viable for
only about 1 week; thus the season of a fire often determines if Alaska
willow can establish during the first or subsequent postfire years
[41,45].


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   survivor species; on-site surviving root crown or caudex
   off-site colonizer; seed carried by wind; postfire years 1 and 2
   off-site colonizer; seed carried by animals or water; postfire yr 1&2

Related categories for Species: Salix alaxensis | Alaska Willow