Long-term effects of fire on the grasslands and juniper savannas at Wupatki National Monument
DeCoster JK. 2020. Long-term effects of fire on the grasslands and juniper savannas at Wupatki National Monument. Natural Resource Report. NPS/SCPN/NRR—2020/2066. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
The effects of fire on the grassland and juniper savanna vegetation at Wupatki National Monument were examined by comparing burned and unburned plots 12 to 21 years following three wildland fires. Vegetation data were analyzed from 29 permanent vegetation plots monitored by the Southern Colorado Plateau Network. I used two-way ANOVAs to compare the mean cover of abundant species, functional groups, and soil surface features, between burned and unburned plots. I also compared species richness and mortality of Juniperus monosperma (one-seed juniper) between the burned and unburned plots. While tree mortality was greater in burned areas, there were no statistically significant differences in herbaceous or shrub cover, or in the cover of abundant species in burned and unburned areas. There was greater litter cover and dead shrub cover in the unburned areas. I found evidence of fire effects on the woody elements of this grassland and juniper savanna ecosystem, but fire effects on the herbaceous vegetation were negligible, suggesting that fire does not have long-term effects on the herbaceous vegetation in this ecosystem.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- DeCoster, James
- Date of Issue
- 2020-02
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NRSS , WUPA
- Keywords
- fire, grasslands, juniper
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Grassland/Herbaceous Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Shrubland Communities