Gradient analysis of an eastern sand savanna's woody vegetation, and its long-term responses to restored fire processes

Fire in upper Midwestern oak forest ecosystems: an oak forest restoration and management handbook

“…This represents a fine line in the balance between oaks and other species (Blankenship andArthur 2006, Bowles et al 2007). The literature suggests that oaks in general are somewhat better adapted to survive repeat burning (Haney et al 2008); however, repeat fires may also kill some oak seedlings and saplings, especially northern red oak, which has thin bark and relatively poor sprouting ability compared to other oaks (Collins andCarson 2003, Green et al 2010). Another problem for multiple burns is the presence of sufficient fuel for ecologically significant fires during burns that occur within 1 or 2 years of the initial burn, especially on mesic sites with earthworms (see "Earthworm Invasion" below).…”

“…Recent case studies support these strategies. Haney et al (2008) found that a single high-intensity fire had a larger impact on restoring savanna conditions on a black oak sand savanna than several lower intensity burns over 20 years, whereas Peterson and Reich (2001) showed that 40 years of almost-annual burning accomplished the same goal on a sand savanna with northern pin oak and bur oak ( fig. 9).…”

Canopy cover and groundlayer vegetation dynamics in a fire managed eastern sand savanna

“…Savanna vegetation declined greatly following European settlement as a result of fire suppression and now is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the Midwest (Anderson and Bowles, 1999;Apfelbaum and Haney, Bowles and McBride, 1998;Curtis, 1959;Haney and Apfelbaum, 1990;Nuzzo, 1986;Taft, 1997). Because of its fire-dependency, understanding fire management effects on oak savanna is important for restoring this vegetation (Haney et al, 2008). In general, lower fire frequency and reduced fire intensity allow a shift toward more closed canopy woodland, causing decline of lightdependent species and increase of shade-tolerant species; while higher fire frequency and greater intensity cause a shift toward more open canopy savanna, and increase of shade-intolerant species (Bowles and McBride, 1998;Bray, 1958;Faber-Langendoen and Davis, 1995;Haney et al, 2008).…”

“…Because of its fire-dependency, understanding fire management effects on oak savanna is important for restoring this vegetation (Haney et al, 2008). In general, lower fire frequency and reduced fire intensity allow a shift toward more closed canopy woodland, causing decline of lightdependent species and increase of shade-tolerant species; while higher fire frequency and greater intensity cause a shift toward more open canopy savanna, and increase of shade-intolerant species (Bowles and McBride, 1998;Bray, 1958;Faber-Langendoen and Davis, 1995;Haney et al, 2008).…”

“…Curtis 1959). For example, eastern sand savanna vegetation may comprise a black oak (Quercus velutina) -white oak (Q. alba) -pin oak (Q. palustris) transition across a gradient of decreasing soil drainage (Brewer and Vankat, 2004;Haney et al, 2008). Despite the general knowledge that fire frequency and intensity structure the savanna canopy and spatially pattern the distribution of groundlayer species and functional groups, few studies have documented temporal change in savanna groundlayer vegetation in response to changing canopy cover in fire-managed savanna.…”