Nutrient Changes in Two Chaparral Shrubs Along a Fire-Induced Age Gradient
Rundel PW and Parsons DJ. 1980. Nutrient Changes in Two Chaparral Shrubs Along a Fire-Induced Age Gradient. American Journal of Botany. 67(1):51-58
Adenostoma fasciculatum H. & A. and Ceanothus leucodermis Green in chaparral stands of the foothill zone of Sequoia National Park, California, show a rapid decline in foliage concentrations of nitrogen over the first six years following fire This is followed by a more gradual decline over succeeding years. Phosphorus concentrations show a similar early decline, followed by an increase in older age stands. Considerable data suggest luxury consumption of nutrients in both species following fire. Following a sharp increase in aboveground nutrients per unit of Adenostoma canopy area for the first 16 years of growth, a plateau is reached. The contemporaneous occurrence of restricted net nutrient uptake and observed stand senescence suggest a possibility of a causal relationship. Natural chaparral fire frequencies promote fire-cycling of nutrients at intervals consistent with periods when nutrient availability becomes limiting. The fire-nutrient interactions are of critical importance in influencing quality and quantity of suitable browse for vertebrate herbivores.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Rundel, Philip; Parsons, David
- Units
- SEKI
- Keywords
- chaparral whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis), common chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), FIRE, Impacts, Nitrogen (N), Nutrients, Phosphorus (P), Plant Studies, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks CA