FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Pinus muricata | Bishop Pine 



FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : 
Fire plays an important ecological role in continuance or maintenance of
bishop pine communities [6,11,44].  Older trees have thick bark, which
enables them to survive surface fire in woodlands and savannas [25].
Bishop pine stands, however, are often dense [44], and stand-replacing
crown fire typically occurs in such stands.  The generally serotinous
and persistent cones are adapted to open when exposed to such heat
[9,11,15,27,29].  Serotiny is somewhat variable; northern populations
are less serotinous than southern populations [47].  Seed released from
serotinous cones results in even-aged stands; most seedling
establishment occurs in the first postfire year [18,44].

Bishop pine's rapid growth and early production of seed help prevent its
elimination from areas where fires are frequent [2,19].  A fire-free
period of 80 years or more results in greatly increased susceptibility
to disease [44].  Analysis of point and composite data at Salt Point
State Park, California showed fire intervals of 20.5 to 29 years and 6.1
to 9.3 years, respectively [13].

Bishop pine does not sprout after fire [18].
 


POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY : 
   Tree without adventitious-bud root crown
   Crown residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)

Related categories for Species: Pinus muricata | Bishop Pine