Fire effects and vegetation response in a Madrean oak woodland, southeastern Arizona.
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azu_td_1360246_sip1_m.pdf
Author
Caprio, Anthony Conger.Issue Date
1994Committee Chair
Zwolinski, Malcolm J.
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The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Following a June wildfire on the south slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains, vegetation was sampled to determine how composition, and fine fuels were affected. Spring and fall samples were taken in burned and unburned plots at three sites on south, east and north aspects. Twenty-one common species were selected for intensive analysis. Burning caused compositional changes with the most significant occurring on the north slope. Woody species and Selaginella were reduced while herbaceous species recovered rapidly. Total cover was generally greater in burned than unburned areas by 2$1\over2$ yr postfire. Recovery was rapid on south slopes dominated by herbaceous perennials and slower on north slopes dominated by woody species and Selaginella preburn. Oaks resprouted well after being topkilled, with Quercus oblongifolia more resistant than Q. emoryi to fire injury. Total herbaceous and litter biomass varied between 272-622 g$\cdot$m$\sp{-2}$ at unburned and 253-370 g$\cdot$m$\sp{-2}$ at burned sites 2$1\over2$ yr postfire.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
M.S.Degree Level
mastersDegree Program
Renewable Natural ResourcesGraduate College