FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Salix monticola | Mountain Willow 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Mountain willow is a fire-tolerant shrub that has a rapid postfire
regeneration period [30].  It will sprout readily from the root or root
crown after being top-killed by fire.  Frequent fires can eventually
deplete carbohydrate levels below minimums necessary for growth and
reflowering and eliminate mountain willow [19].
  


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Mountain willow is frequently found in early successional stage plant
communities after fires because of its ability to sprout vigorously from
the root-crown or roots [39].  Mountain willow seeds need a
nutrient-rich mineral seedbed to germinate.  The chance of mountain
willow establishing after a fire lessens as available mineral soil
seedbeds become occupied by faster growing herbaceous species and mosses
[7].  Mountain willow is greatly favored by fire in most habitats and it
can become the dominant cover in areas that have a history of frequent
natural fire [14].  Fire is not favored in lowland spruce stands in
Alaska because of the prevalent green understory, mainly willows [32].  
Fire severity affects the mode of willow postfire recovery.  Following
light-severity fires most willows recover quickly, sending up new shoots
from undamaged root crowns.  Few if any seedlings establish following
this type of fire because the partially consumed organic soil layers
comprise an unfavorable seedbed.  Following severe fire, however, the
primary mode of recovery is seedling establishment.  Severe fires that
burn into organic soils kill willows, but expose mineral soils which
provide excellent seedbeds [41].  


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Prescribed fire is widely used as a wildlife management tool to
rejuvenate decadent willow stands and stimulate sprouting [14].  Early
seral communities created by fire can increase the carrying capacity of
winter range for moose in interior Alaska [40].  Fires increase the
amount of browse available for herbivores because browse species such as
willow proliferate in early postfire succession [19].  Recurring fires
within some parts of the boreal forest have allowed aspen and willow to
replace coniferous forests [32].  The tendency of willows to expand
quickly following fires and other disturbances and to form dense
thickets inhibits natural regeneration of conifers.  Prescribed burning
can reduce initial competition from willow in areas to be planted with
cultivated species [14].

Related categories for Species: Salix monticola | Mountain Willow