| | |
 |
|
| 
| ||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Wildlife, Animals, and Plants |
|
|||
|
FIRE ECOLOGY
FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS:Although exact fire histories are difficult to determine, evidence suggests that fire was common in pinyon-juniper communities before European-American settlement [21]. It is thought that in presettlement times, lower elevation woodlands of southeastern Arizona were relatively open with a fire-maintained dense grass understory [8]. The role of fire in Madrean ecosystems, in which alligator juniper occurs as an important component, is largely unknown [13,77]. It is suspected that fires usually occurred here during the annual dry period from May through late July [77]. Most research indicates that fire-free intervals have increased in pinyon-juniper communities, leading to downslope juniper invasion of grasslands and shrublands in parts of the Great Basin, Arizona, and Texas [37]. Reductions in fine fuels by grazing and active fire suppression are often cited as probable reasons for longer fire-free intervals [21,37,40]. Alligator juniper canopies are often high enough so that fires scorch but do not severely damage the crown [74]. The bark also provides protection from fire. Kittams [74] reports that alligator juniper bark is seldom burned by fires in Chihuahuan Desert communities. Alligator juniper is generally capable of prolific sprouting after aboveground vegetation is consumed by fire, particularly if the "resprouting zone" is covered by soil. By sprouting, alligator juniper may survive fires of even high intensity [107,135] and quickly regains dominance on most sites [67,107,135,121]. Mortality of even small trees generally appears to be low [67]. Alligator junipers typically sprout from the root crown following fire [133]. Susceptibility to fire may also be greater during drought years [121]. The range of fire intervals reported for some species that dominate communities where alligator juniper occurs are listed below. To learn more about the fire regimes in those communities refer to the FEIS summary for that species, under "Fire Ecology or Adaptations." Rocky Mountain ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum): 2 to 40 years Mexican pinyon (P. cembroides): 20 to 70 years
POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY:Tree with adventitious bud/root crown/soboliferous species root sucker Ground residual colonizer (on-site, initial community) Secondary colonizer - off-site seed
Related categories for SPECIES: Juniperus deppeana | Alligator Juniper |
 |
 | |
| |
| |
| Content on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. We accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from information published on this site. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities. | |
| |
|
About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy | Links Directory |
| 1Up Info All Rights reserved. Site best viewed in 800 x 600 resolution. |
