Changes in understory vegetation following prescribed fire in maritime pine forests

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Abstract

Secondary succession of understory communities in Pinus pinaster forests after prescribed fire is evaluated in terms of changes in cover and frequency. To have some information on density changes, relationships were established between percentage of absence and density for the major species. Frequency composition is not significantly affected by fire. However, cover composition is affected but rapidly recovers to preburn levels. Diversity is almost unaffected by fire. From the analysis of the individual species it is concluded that in general, forb and grass cover increase initially after fire. Shrub cover decreases after fire but changes in density and rate of recovery are dependent upon species' sprouting ability. Pine seedlings increase greatly after fire. It is concluded that postfire communities are easily predicted from preburn composition because of the adaptations of the major species to fire.

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    Research was partly funded by the US Agency for International Development and the Direccao Geral dos Servicos Florestais. University of Idaho, Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station Contribution No. 520.

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