Studying the post-fire performance of tussock grasses in Patagonia: Survival, biomass production and early competition

Gittins, C.; Ghermandi, Luciana; Bran, Donaldo

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.05.005

Cited by 21 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 36 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…The proportion of tussocks that were large (circumference higher than 50 cm) were significantly higher for the mid-season fire and were lower for the late fire. This confirms that fire treatments impact tussock growth and that late fire is detrimental to tussock growth or increase tussock fragmentation, as observed by Gittins et al (2011).…”

Section: Impact Of Fire Regimes On Tussock Circumferencesupporting

confidence: 82%

Effect of fire regime on the grass community of the humid savanna of Lamto, Ivory Coast

et al. 2018

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This study assesses the impact of four fire treatments applied yearly over 3 y, i.e. early fire, mid-season fire, late fire and no fire treatments, on the grass communities of Lamto savanna, Ivory Coast. We describe communities of perennial tussock grasses on three replicated 5 × 5-m or 10 × 5-m plots of each fire treatment. Tussock density did not vary with fire treatment. The relative abundance of grass species, the circumference of grass tussocks and the probability of having a tussock with a central die-back, varied with fire treatment. Mid-season fire had the highest proportion of tussocks with a central die-back while the late fire had the smallest tussocks. Tussock density, circumference, relative abundance and probability of having a central die-back varied with species. Andropogon canaliculatus and Hyparrhenia diplandra were the most abundant of the nine grass species. They had the largest tussocks and the highest proportion of tussock with a central die-back. Loudetia simplex was the third most abundant species but was very rare in no fire plots. The distribution of tussock circumferences was right skewed and dominated by small tussocks. The proportion of the tussocks with a central die-back strongly increased with circumference, which could lead to tussock fragmentation. Taken together, this study suggests that fire regimes impact grass demography and that this impact depends on grass species and tussock size.

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Section: Impact Of Fire Regimes On Tussock Circumferencesupporting

confidence: 82%

Effect of fire regime on the grass community of the humid savanna of Lamto, Ivory Coast

et al. 2018

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“…The effect of fire on grassland functional group may depend on the fire regime (van Wilgen et al, 2007). Late fire application was found to jeopardize the perennial grasses development and consequently their productivity (Teka et al, 2011, Gittins et al, 2011. In contrast, early fire application in savanna was found to stimulate perennial grasses regeneration and impact positively in their productivity (Teka et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hemicryptophytes plant species as indicator of grassland state in semi-arid region: Case study of W Biosphere Reserve and its surroundings area in Benin (West Africa)

Houessou¹,

Teka²,

Oumorou³

et al. 2012

Int. J. Bio. Chem. Sci

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In semi-arid region managers are facing rapid degradation of grassland. There is a need to determine indicators to be used to detect early change occurring in the grassland for their sustainable management. Thereof, in this study, we explored the reliability of the use of hemicryptophytes as indicator of grassland state in semi-arid region within W Biosphere Reserve and surrounding areas (Benin). Plots of 10 m X 10 m were installed along a land use gradient (from communal lands to the protected area via the buffer zone) in three vegetation types for plant biomass harvesting and hemicryptophytes traits measurement. The hemicryptophyte density, biovolume, tussock size, contact frequency, contribution to total plant biomass and grassland grazing value were assessed and compared between land uses. Findings showed that hemicryptopyte traits were significantly different with the land use type. Hemicryptophyte biovolume and hemicryptophyte contribution were strongly correlated, respectively, with total biomass production and grazing value. The study highlights the relevance of hemicryptophyte as indicators of grassland state that could be used by grassland managers for grassland monitoring, restoration and sustainable use.

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“…Nevertheless, it could be used to significantly reduce above-ground biomass, but it would be then critical to establish competition immediately after burning. In this respect, resting a burnt site from grazing has been recommended for preventing establishment of dominance for unpalatable grasses [ 85 ].…”

Section: Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Review of Six Invasive Nassella Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management

Humphries

Florentine

2021

Plants

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Two Nassella species, Nassella trichotoma and Nassella neesiana, have significantly reduced the carrying capacity of Australia’s south-east rangelands and agricultural systems. It is, therefore, of considerable concern that four other Nassella species have also become naturalised in Australia, and are noted to share many of the ecological features of the two currently widespread species. This paper reviews the distribution, ecology, and impacts of all six Nassella species, which are currently naturalised in Australia, and makes recommendations toward a blanket Nassella control program. The review highlights observed similarities between the species, including the time of flowering, seed type, germination requirements, and growth morphology. These common factors support the possibility that an integrated Nassella control program could be designed to integrate good grazing management with cultural control methods, such as soil cultivation, fire, and native plant competition, with treatments being implemented prior to the common annual seed maturation period. Notwithstanding the success of these integrated programs, it is recognised that seeds of all species may remain viable in the seedbank for up to 12 years, meaning ongoing monitoring and management will be required. To develop even finer control programs, further research into the ecology of these Nassella species is recommended to determine any additional weak spots in these species’ defences, and to subsequently develop and apply novel integrated control methods that target all six species.

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Studying the post-fire performance of tussock grasses in Patagonia: Survival, biomass production and early competition

Cited by 21 publications

References 36 publications

Effect of fire regime on the grass community of the humid savanna of Lamto, Ivory Coast

Effect of fire regime on the grass community of the humid savanna of Lamto, Ivory Coast

Hemicryptophytes plant species as indicator of grassland state in semi-arid region: Case study of W Biosphere Reserve and its surroundings area in Benin (West Africa)

A Comparative Review of Six Invasive Nassella Species in Australia with Implications for Their Management

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