The effect of fire on an ungrazed western Montana grassland
Antos JA, McCune B, Bara C. 1983. The effect of fire on an ungrazed western Montana grassland. J. Antos, B. McCune & C. Bara
On 28 June 1977 a hot wildfire burned part of a species-rich foothills grassland dominated by Festuca scabrella, F. idahoensis and Aqropyron spicatum. We sampled plant species cover in paired stands, on and off the burn, during 1977 and 1978 to determine the initial impact of the fire, and during 1980 to document recovery after 3 years. Grass cover decreased on the burn due primarily to a sharp drop in the cover of the two dominant fescues. Forb cover increased. Moss and lichen cover dropped greatly. Much of the difference in species response was related to plant growth form and phenology. Large bunches of F. scabrella were more seriously damaged than small ones, indicating long intervals between fires are detrimental to the species when fire does return. At burned sites, afternoon soil temperatures were higher and near-surface soil moisture was lower.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Antos, Joseph; McCune, Bruce; Bara, Cliff
- Date of Issue
- 1983
- Publisher
- J. Antos, B. McCune & C. Bara
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- FIRE, Vegetation, Water, weather and climate