FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Alnus rhombifolia | White Alder 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
A study of riparian vegetation following a July high intensity fire in
southern California found that about 97 percent of white alder trees
were killed, while associated oaks, sycamores, and cottonwoods were
top-killed only and resprouted vigorously (Barro 1989, pers. comm.)


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
A California riparian study found that 60 to 70 percent of mature, white
alder trees had either root or trunk sprouts [35].  With this high degree
of vegetative regeneration one would expect this plant to sprout
following the removal of aboveground vegetation by fire. However, Barro
(1989 pers. comm.) found that about 97 percent of white alder died from a
high intensity July wildfire.  These plants did not resprout.

White alder has light wind-dispersed seed that normally establishes on
moist alluvium left bare from receding flood waters.  Fires that remove
organic soil layers and expose mineral soils, may possibly provide
favorable seedbeds for the establishment of white alder seed, providing
the soil remains moist.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Alnus rhombifolia | White Alder