Study

Woody vegetation response to various burning regimes in South Texas

  • Published source details Ruthven III I.D.C., Braden A.W., Knutson H.J., Gallagher J.F. & Synatzske D.R. (2003) Woody vegetation response to various burning regimes in South Texas. Journal of Range Management, 159-166.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use prescribed fire: effects on mature trees

Action Link
Forest Conservation
  1. Use prescribed fire: effects on mature trees

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1997-2001 in chaparral in Texas, USA (Ruthven et al. 2003) found that prescribed fire decreased woody plant cover and species diversity but not species richness. Woody plant cover was higher in unburned (44%) than winter (22%) and winter summer burn plots (26%). Diversity was higher in unburned (Shannon's index unburned: 2.55) than winter and summer burn plots (winter burn: 2.33; winter and summer burn: 2.13). Numbers of species was similar among treatments (unburned: 18; winter burn: 16; winter and summer burn: 13/2 ha plot). Data were collected in 2001 in five replicates of: unburned control, winter burn (winter 1997-1998 and 1999-2000) and winter and summer burn (burned in winter 1997-1998 and summer 1999) treatment plots (2 ha).

     

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