Effects of Burning on a Desert Grass-Shrub Range in Southern Arizona
Reynolds HG and Bohning JW. 1956. Effects of Burning on a Desert Grass-Shrub Range in Southern Arizona. Ecology. 37(4):769-777
Encroachment of undesirable woody plants into former grasslands is a serious problem on western range lands. These woody plants dominate the site and reduce perennial grass cover. The result is a loss in grazing capacity and livestock production. The problem of invasion and increase of mesquite (Prosopis spp.), cactus (Opuntia spp.) and burrow-weed (Aplopappus tenuisectus) on certain range lands of southeastern Arizona has been recognized for many years. In spite of considerable experimental work, there is still need for better chemical, mechanical, or biological methods for eradication or control of these wood invaders. Fire as a tool for control has been investigated to some extent. Additional information is needed as to when and where fire should be employed. This paper reports the effects of fire upon several undesirable woody plants, palatable range vegetation, and soil for an area of the Santa Rita Experimental Range, 35 miles southeast of Tucson,Arizona.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Reynolds, Hudson; Bohning, J.
- Units
- ORPI , SAGU , SODN
- Keywords
- Arizona (southwestern deserts), Ecology (Fire), Fire Behavior, fire forestry, fire physics, Sonoran Biome