FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Juniperus monosperma | Oneseed Juniper 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Oneseed juniper is considered susceptible to fire [83].  Fire mortality
is generally high for both young and old trees [43], although the
thicker bark of older trees may afford some protection [12].  Older
trees often have very little understory vegetation beneath the crown and
fuels are quite limited [12]; consequently, they frequently limit the
rate of spread [76].  A history of heavy grazing can also reduce the
flammability of mature oneseed juniper stands by reducing fine fuels
[4].  In some locations, mature stands may not burn due to a lack of
fuels [41].

In some areas, juniper is protected from fire by site factors.  For
example, oneseed juniper frequently grows on rocky breaks or escarpments
where fire frequency is very low [83].  Wright [83] reported that
fire-intolerant plants such as oneseed juniper often occupy isolated
topographic breaks which may be surrounded by grasslands that burn at
fairly frequent intervals [83].  Oneseed juniper is described as a
climax species on such rocky terrain not subject to frequent fires [83].

Postfire reestablishment is primarily through seed and is relatively
slow [39].  Most establishment is from seed dispersed from off-site by
birds and mammals, but some establishment may occur from seeds buried
on-site and protected from the heat of fire by overlying soil layers.
Establishment may be relatively poor even when good germination occurs,
and growth is typically very slow [67].

Oneseed juniper is usually described as a nonsprouter [83], but older
trees have been known to sprout infrequently after fire [12,76].  This
mode of regeneration appears to be relatively unimportant, however.


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Secondary colonizer - on-site seed
   Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

Related categories for Species: Juniperus monosperma | Oneseed Juniper