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Title: Optimal prescribed burn frequency to manage foundation California perennial grass species and enhance native flora

Journal Article · · Biodiversity and Conservation
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States). Biosciences and Biotechnology Dept.
  2. USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab., Sidney (United States). Pest Management Research Unit
  3. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States). Environmental Functional Area
  4. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States). Computations Dept.
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Grasslands can be diverse assemblages of grasses and forbs but not much is known how perennial grass species management affects native plant diversity except in a few instances. We studied the use of late-spring prescribed burns over a span of 11 years where the perennial grass Poa secunda was the foundation species, with four additional years of measurements after the final burn. We also evaluated burn effects on P. secunda, the rare native annual forb Amsinckia grandiflora and local native and exotic species. Annual burning maintained P. secunda number, resulted in significant expansion, the lowest thatch and exotic grass cover, the highest percentage of bare ground, but also the lowest native forb and highest exotic forb cover. Burning approximately every 3 years maintained a lower number of P. secunda plants, allowed for expansion, and resulted in the highest native forb cover with a low exotic grass cover. Burning approximately every 5 years and the control (burned once from a wildfire) resulted in a decline in P. secunda number, the highest exotic grass and thatch cover and the lowest percentage of bare ground. P. secunda numbers were maintained up to 4 years after the final burn. And while local native forbs benefited from burning approximately every 3 years, planted A. grandiflora performed best in the control treatment. A. grandiflora did not occur naturally at the site; therefore, no seed bank was present to provide across-year protection from the effects of the burns. Thus, perennial grass species management must also consider other native species life history and phenology to enhance native flora diversity.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1395525
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL--703563; PII: 1376
Journal Information:
Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Name: Biodiversity and Conservation Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 26; ISSN 0960-3115
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
Enhancing native flora
Native California forbs
Native California grasses
Perennial grassland restoration