FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Salix myrtillifolia | Blueberry Willow 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Blueberry willow is sometimes present as scattered individuals in black
or white spruce (Picea glauca) forests.  Severe fires in these
vegetation types can kill willows by completely removing soil organic
layers and charring the roots [31].  Less severe fires only top-kill
plants.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Blueberry willow's density probably increases shortly after burning.
However, it is shade intolerant,and density will decline as young trees
overtop it.  Viereck and Little [26] noted that low blueberry willow
became locally abundant in the early successional stages that follow
fire in low-lying black spruce types.  Tall blueberry willow seeded onto
clearcut and burned white spruce floodplain forests in interior Alaska
[33].  Burning on these sites exposed much mineral soil, which provided
excellent seedbeds for the invading willow.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
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 [32].


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Salix myrtillifolia | Blueberry Willow