Postfire Succession in a Sierran Subalpine Meadow
Debenedetti SH and Parsons DJ. 1984. Postfire Succession in a Sierran Subalpine Meadow. The American Midland Naturalist. 111(1):118-125
In 1977, a lightning-ignited fire spread through much of Ellis Meadow in Kings Canyon National Park, CA, burning for nearly 2 months. This paper describes the establishment and succession of meadow vegetation during the first 4 years after the fire. The effects of fire on meadow drainage patterns and soil stability are also considered. Results of the study show an increase of herbaceous cover from 2.% after burning, to 123% in 1981. Dominant species shifted from broadleaf species in the first year to graminoid species in the later years.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Debenedetti, Stephen; Parsons, David
- Units
- SEKI
- Keywords
- Ellis Meadow, Establishment (Species), FIRE, Meadows, Plant Studies, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks CA, Soils, Succession, Vegetation