Interactions between mediterranean shrub species eight years after experimental fire

Abstract

This paper is part of a wider study in which different combinations of species were assayed for the revegetation of experimentally burnt heathlands. In this particular case, we determined whether there was any interaction between the dominant species, Erica australis, which recovered by vegetative resprouting, and the only successful woody species sown, Cytisus sp., eight years after fire and seven years after sowing. A detailed study was carried out on each square metre of cover and height of both species in three 160 m 2 plots. Total cover exceeded 100% in all subplots sown with Cytisus, whereas it did not reach 65% in the others, when both species coexist together. There was an inverse correlation between the covers of both species and a positive correlation between the height of Erica australis and the cover and the height of Cytisus. There was no significant difference in Erica cover in plots sown with Cytisus and plots not sown. There could be some competition for light, but both species are capable of coexisting with high canopy overlap, for at least some time. Cytisus is expanding from the seeded subplots, suggesting that the dense cover of Erica australis does not impede the establishment of Cytisus.

Ten years of recovery after experimental fire in a heathland: effects of sowing native species

“…does not seem to slow down cover by E. australis, whose mean value increases in the last sampling. However, the results recorded by Marcos et al (2004) indicate certain interference between E. australis and Cytisus spp., since a negative correlation is observed between the cover of both species eight years after burning when a more detailed analysis per square meter is carried out. Cytisus spp.…”

“…However, all these shrubs tend to branch from the base, so appear to be profusely intermixed with considerable canopy overlap. Competition among them would therefore seem likely at least for space (Marcos et al, 2004). Another aspect worth mentioning is that, in spite of the great abundance of woody species, herb cover as well as diversity (number of species) is significantly higher than in the initial situation, even 10 years after burning.…”

“…Quercus pyrenaica also had a good survival rate, although not a good growth one. Marcos et al (2004) discusses the possible interaction between Cytisus spp. and the dominant species in the area (E. australis).…”

Short‐term changes caused by fire and mowing in Brazilian Campos grasslands with different long‐term fire histories

“…As a consequence, seedling establishment may have been enhanced due to an increase in free space (Bond & van Wilgen ), breaking of seed dormancy by higher soil temperatures (Tyler ; Hoffmann ; Auld & Denham ; Knox & Clarke ), and decrease in competition with dominant species (Tyler ; Laterra & Solbrig ; Marcos et al. ). Additionally, new gaps can be colonized by vegetative ramets from both the bud bank and neighbouring vegetation, since the most important regeneration strategy in these grasslands is resprouting (ca.…”

Chaparral shrub recovery after fuel reduction: a comparison of prescribed fire and mastication techniques

“…The lack of shrub height difference between treatments may suggest that woody species recovery during the first year after a disturbance is mainly invested in reoccupying the bare surrounding space, in the absence of competition for light (Marcos et al 2004). Calvo et al (1998) observed that the most pronounced increase in height occurred once the shrubs have occupied practically all their initial space, achieving similar height values 9 years after treatments.…”