The Effects of Burning on the Mulch Structure and Species Composition of Grasslands in Western North Dakota
Dix RL. 1960. The Effects of Burning on the Mulch Structure and Species Composition of Grasslands in Western North Dakota. Ecology. 41(1):49-56
A long-term study on the phytosociology of grasslands in western North Dakota was recently initiated and the importance of evaluating fire as an ecological factor has become evident. It is the purpose of the present paper to report the results of a preliminary quantitative study of the mulch structure and species composition on three natural grasslands following fires of known age. The paucity of quantitative data on the fire-grassland relationships in the Northern Plains would appear to justify the presentation of these initial studies. It is hoped that a more comprehensive report on the relationship will be possible after the burns reported here have been followed for a number of years and after additional burns, occurring under a variety of environmental conditions (e.g., soil types, weather conditions, exposures, slopes, etc.) have been found and followed.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Dix, Ralph
- Units
- THRO
- Keywords
- Climate, Ecology, Erosion, Exposure, FIRE, Fire Ecology, Grassland, Plant Studies, Plants, Slope, Soil Types, Soils, Vegetation, Weather