FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Salix arbusculoides | Littletree Willow 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire will kill aboveground parts of littletree willow.  High-severity
fires that remove the soil organic layers can destroy the basal
sprouting ability of this species [24].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Littletree willow is one of the most common willows on recent burns in
interior Alaska [36].  Invasion by willows after fire depends on the
season and severity of fire, weather, and presence of a mineral soil
seedbed [38].  In young black spruce stands originating following fire,
littletree willow regenerated at about 4,000 to 5,000 stems per acre
(9,880-12,350 stems/ha) [27].  The chance of littletree willow
establishing years after a fire lessens as the available mineral soil
seedbed sites are occupied by the faster growing herbaceous species or
mosses [38].  Littletree willow is the dominant species following fire
in black spruce communities for 6 to 25 years [38].
 


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
Fire severity can affect willow postfire recovery.  High-severity fires
can damage the roots and rhizomes to the point of no recovery [38].
Following low-severity fires most willows will recover quickly due to
the ability of the root crown to send up new roots.  Severe fires that
destroy the organic soil layer kill willows but can expose the mineral
soil necessary for seed propagation [24,38].


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Prescribed fire is a common wildlife management tool used to rejuvenate
decadent littltree willow communities.  Fires increase food for
herbivores dependent on browse plants.  Browse plants such as littletree
willow and other willows proliferate in early postfire seres [23,36].

Related categories for Species: Salix arbusculoides | Littletree Willow