Prescribed fires cause minimal damage to a threatened cactus (Tobusch fishhook cactus, Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii, Texas, USA)

Reemts, Charlotte M.; Ferrato, Jacqueline R.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104380

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Similar results were reported for a species of an arborescent Aloe by Cousins et al 2016), who attributed that pattern to bark width, which increases with size. In globose cacti, Reemts and Ferrato (2021) and Wester et al (2019) found similar patterns in Sclerocactus brevihamatus and Echinocereus fendleri respectively. In our study, this pattern might be explained by the lower surface area to volume ratio with the increasing size of individuals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…1994). Accordingly, all these results highlight the importance of cactus shape and size for the survival of columnar or opuntioid species (Reemts & Ferrato 2021). However, particularly for globose succulent species, as far as we know there are no studies that analyse how individual size affects post‐fire survival, or studies focusing on cactus growth after wildfire, with the exception of effects of prescribed fire on Kuenzler's hedgehog cactus (Wester et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…2016), who attributed that pattern to bark width, which increases with size. In globose cacti, Reemts and Ferrato (2021) and Wester et al . (2019) found similar patterns in Sclerocactus brevihamatus and Echinocereus fendleri respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Among columnar cacti, Rogers (1985) found an association between size of arborescent saguaro cacti (Carnegia gigantea) and their responses to fire, showing that larger individuals were less scorched by fires, and hence had a higher survival than smaller individuals; nonetheless, saguaro cacti showed very low post-fire survival, since only 20% of the individuals survive (Cave & Patten 1984;Rogers 1985;Narog et al 1994). Accordingly, all these results highlight the importance of cactus shape and size for the survival of columnar or opuntioid species (Reemts & Ferrato 2021). However, particularly for globose succulent species, as far as we know there are no studies that analyse how individual size affects post-fire survival, or studies focusing on cactus growth after wildfire, with the exception of effects of prescribed fire on Kuenzler's hedgehog cactus (Wester et al 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Survival and growth of cactus species after a wildfire in central Argentina: Differences among species and the effects of microenvironment characteristics

et al. 2021

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There are about 2200 cactus species, and most of them occur in fire‐prone ecosystems. Nevertheless, there is scarce information about fire effects on the ecology of cactus species. In this study, we assessed the effects of a wildfire on the survival and growth of coexisting globose cactus species and their relation with microenvironment conditions in rocky outcrops from the Córdoba Mountains, central Argentina. A fire event occurred in spring 2011, and measurements were recorded in the first subsequent growing season, in winter. We selected 26 rocky outcrops and established three 3 × 1 m plots per outcrop. In each plot, we quantified all cactus individuals of the four species present in the area: Echinopsis aurea, Gymnocalycium bruchii, G. mostii and Parodia submammulosa. We also recorded if each individual cactus was dead or alive, and measured its size and post‐fire growth. In addition, we measured the relative cover of rocks and bare soil, and the size of the rocks within a radius of 30 cm of each individual. Individual cactus survival (70–80%) did not vary among species. The highest post‐fire growth was recorded in G. bruchii. For E. aurea, P. submammulosa and G. mostii, post‐fire growth was negatively related to pre‐fire size, suggesting that smaller individuals recovered faster than larger ones. Microenvironment characteristics did not affect post‐fire growth in any of the species. Our results provide a preliminary insight into possible fire tolerance of globose cacti in the Córdoba Mountains, supported by their relatively high survival and growth after a fire event.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Survival and growth of cactus species after a wildfire in central Argentina: Differences among species and the effects of microenvironment characteristics

et al. 2021

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“…intensity, frequency, size and seasonality) within ranges to which the dominant species of the region are adapted. Prescribed burning of low intensity has proven effective to avoid shrub and exotic grass encroachment, and prevent biomass accumulation and hence high intensity fires that could kill cacti (Thomas 1991; Reemts & Ferrato 2021). Moreover, it could prevent changes in vegetation and micro environmental conditions, for example decreased tree cover and availability of nurse plants, which would increase the chances of a negative impact of fire on their population dynamics.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are wildfires affecting seed germination in cactus? An experimental assessment

2021

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Cacti are conspicuous plants across arid and semi-arid ecosystems of the American continent and are currently under threat due to human pressures, such as habitat loss, illegal collection and changes in fire regimes. Although much of their habitat is highly fire prone, there are strikingly few studies on their germination response to fire cues. The aim of this work was to analyse the effect of heat shock (simulating wildfires) on the 'germination %' and the 'mean germination time' of 13 cactus species of two growth forms (six columnar and seven globose) from a fire-prone cactus diversity hotspot in Córdoba Mountains, central Argentina. We also analysed the effect of growth form and seed mass on species responses. Seeds were subjected to the following treatments: 70°C/5 min, 70°C/10 min, 105°C/5 min, 105°C/10 min and a control (i.e. no heat). Germination decreased under at least one treatment in seven species, increased in three species, had contrasting changes in one species, and showed no effect of treatments in two species. Germination was faster in eight species, slower in one species and showed no effects of treatments in four species. Germination was significantly higher for globose species following the 70°C/10 min treatment and for columnar species under the treatment of 110°C/ 10 min; while germination time did not differ between growth forms. Seed mass did not have a significant effect on germination, and only affected germination time under the 70°C treatments, under which lighter seeds germinated faster than heavier seeds. Our results show that the studied species exhibited a high diversity of responses, with most of the species presenting tolerance to heat shock, and that under certain conditions growth form and seed mass are important traits related to species responses to heat shock treatments.

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Do fires affects growth, seed production and germination of the globose cactus Gymnocalycium monvillei?

Lorenzati

Aliscioni

Barroso

et al. 2022

Journal of Arid Environments

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Prescribed fires cause minimal damage to a threatened cactus (Tobusch fishhook cactus, Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii, Texas, USA)

Cited by 3 publications

References 16 publications

Survival and growth of cactus species after a wildfire in central Argentina: Differences among species and the effects of microenvironment characteristics

Survival and growth of cactus species after a wildfire in central Argentina: Differences among species and the effects of microenvironment characteristics

Are wildfires affecting seed germination in cactus? An experimental assessment

Do fires affects growth, seed production and germination of the globose cactus Gymnocalycium monvillei?

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