FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Vaccinium pallidum | Hillside Blueberry 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Fire is a dominant influence in many Coastal Plain forests in which
hillside blueberry occurs [41].  Historic fire intervals have been
estimated at approximately 65 years in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey
[6].  Fire intervals are estimated at 40 years in oak-pine stands and as
frequent as every 8 years in pitch pine stands of New Jersey [6].
Hillside blueberry is well represented in these communities.  Although
it can survive during fairly long fire-free intervals, this shrub is
particularly well adapted to frequent fires.  In the New Jersey Pine
Barrens, it typically assumes importance under a regime of frequent
fires [10,12].  Burning more than once within 5 years can produce
increases in the relative abundance of hillside blueberry.  Buell and
Cantlon [12] observed no "regular trend in cover until burns became more
frequent than every 3 years."  However, plants may be reduced by annual
burning.  On annually burned plots, hillside blueberry cover was
approximately one-half that of less frequently burned plots [12].

Hillside blueberry is well adapted to fire [10].  It readily regenerates
in postfire communities [14] from rhizomes, root crowns, or surviving
portions of aerial stems [10].  As with other lowbush blueberries,
clones of hillside blueberry are rejuvenated as fire removes decadent
material and stimulates sprouting [52].  Birds and mammals may transport
some seed from off-site, but establishment is probably limited to good
sites in favorable years.


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Small shrub, adventitious-bud root crown
   Rhizomatous shrub, rhizome in soil
   Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)

Related categories for Species: Vaccinium pallidum | Hillside Blueberry