Bluebunch wheatgrass productivity: the relative effects of fire and clipping

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5675305

McShane, M C

The effect of removal of dead foliage on aboveground productivity is not clearly understood for bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum). This study compares the response of dormant bluebunch wheatgrass plants to removal of standing dead by burning or by clipping. To simulate differences caused by competition from surrounding vegetation, study plants were burned or clipped individually or as part of 1 m radius circle with the study plant at the center. Standing dead removal from dormant bluebunch wheatgrass clumps had a negative effect on vegetative productivity regardless of the removal method. Reproductive performance was reduced by clipping but not by burning. Burned plants were more productive in terms of biomass and reproduction effort than were clipped plants. The lack of differences between plants treated alone and plants treated as part of an area suggest that competition from nearby individuals has an insignificant role in regulating production. Other possible factors relating to plant production are discussed.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5675305
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-9230; CONF-810348-3; ON: DE82005929
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510100* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CUTTING
DATA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FIRES
GRASS
INFORMATION
LEAVES
MACHINING
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS