Document

Title

Grasslands and fire
Document Type: Conference Paper
Author(s): Clair L. Kucera
Editor(s): Harold A. Mooney; T. M. Bonnicksen; Norman L. Christensen Jr.; James E. Lotan; William A. Reiners
Publication Year: 1981

Cataloging Information

Keyword(s):
  • community ecology
  • droughts
  • encroachment
  • fire frequency
  • fire regimes
  • flammability
  • grass fuels
  • grasslands
  • grazing
  • invasive species
  • prairies
  • savannas
  • season of fire
  • stability
  • succession
Topic(s):
Region(s):
Record Maintained By:
TTRS Staff; https://talltimbers.org/contact-us
Record Last Modified: September 4, 2020
FRAMES Record Number: 27866
Tall Timbers Record Number: 1702
TTRS Location Status: In-file
TTRS Call Number: A13.88:WO-26
TTRS Abstract Status: Fair use, Okay, Reproduced by permission

This bibliographic record was either created or modified by the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy and is provided without charge to promote research and education in Fire Ecology. The E.V. Komarek Fire Ecology Database is the intellectual property of the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.

Description

Most grassland environments are conducive to the ignition and spread of fire. The vegetation provides flammable fuel which when burned facilitates new growth and restricts tree encroachment. The grassland community exhibits various adaptations to fire environment. Fire intensity and frequency of burning are important variables in effecting its stability. Higher frequencies are associated with the moist grasslands where the potential for fuel accumulation is greatest. Grazing reduces litter buildup promoting less frequent fires. Excessive utilization by herbivores results in extended intervals or even cessation promoting site deterioration, composition changes in the plant community, and tree invasion.

Online Link(s):
Link to this document
Citation:
Kucera, C.L. 1981. Grasslands and fire. Pages 90-111 in Mooney, Harold A.; Bonnicksen, T.M.; Christensen Jr., Norman L.; Lotan, James E.; Reiners, William A. 1981. Fire Regimes and Ecosystem Properties: Proceedings of the Conference, Dec. 11-15, 1978 Honolulu, HI. General Technical Report WO-GTR-26. Washington, D.C: USDA Forest Service. 594 p.

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