Post-fire demography of resprout and seedling establishment by Adenostoma fasciculatum in the California chaparral

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Abstract

Adenostoma fasciculatum (chamise) forms the dominant element of chaparral ecosystems in California. This evergreen, ericoid-leaved shrub occurs as a codominant in mixed chaparral or an overwhelming dominant in chamise chaparral, being present in over 70% of the chaparral stands in the state (Hanes 1971). No other chaparral shrub approaches A. fasciculatum in community importance. Unlike the majority of chaparral shrubs which respond to fire by either resprouting or reseeding, A. fasciculatum, utilizes both reproductive strategies (Wells 1969; Keeley and Zedler 1978; see also Hilbert in this volume). Although there have been numerous studies of succession in chamise chaparral (Horton and Kraebel 1955; Hanes 1971), no research to date has focused on the important questions of the demography of resprouting and seedling establishment by A. fasciculatum in the first few years following chaparral fires. Is there significant mortality of chamise burls during fires? How do fire seasonality and intensity affect resprout survival and growth? How do chamise seedlings compete with resprouts for establishment in postfire stands? What factors limit chamise seedling survival and growth? These are all important questions. In this paper we present results of a three-year study of the demographics of resprout mortality and growth and of seedling establishment for A. fasciculatum following burn and clip treatments at two seasons of the year in mature stands of chamise chaparral in the southern Sierra Nevada, California.

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Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Post-fire demography of resprout and seedling establishment by Adenostoma fasciculatum in the California chaparral
DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-70868-8_40
Volume 6
Year Published 1987
Language English
Publisher North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Publisher location New York, NY
Description 22 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Other Government Series
Larger Work Title Functional Analysis in Mediterranean Ecosystems
First page 575
Last page 596
Country United States
State California
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