Regrowth of shrubs in grassy balds of the southern Appalachians after prescribed burning
Barden LS. 1978. Regrowth of shrubs in grassy balds of the southern Appalachians after prescribed burning. Castanea. 43(4):238 - 246
Heath balds are relatively open areas at high elevations in the Southern Appalachians dominated by shrubs in the Ericaceae family. The author observed vegetative regrowth after fire on balds near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Haywood County, North Carolina, finding that maintenance of balds generally requires treatment, such as burning combined then cattle grazing. The prescribed fires on the study areas were in part to improve wintering habitat for the endangered golden eagle, and study results indicate that burning at least every 5 to 8 years will be necessary to retard establishment of shrubs. After a prescribed burn on a grassy bald, studies were made at one, two, and three growing seasons to determine if fire and browsing by native herbivores could maintain grassy balds. The results suggest that browsing by cattle and fire are required. Prescribed burning at intervals of five to eight years is needed to prevent shrub stand spreading.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Barden, Lawrence
- Units
- BLRI , GRSM
- Keywords
- Grassy Balds, Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC TN, heath balds, Maintenance, Plant Studies, Prescribed Burns, Succession