Structure of Quercus gambelii communities in the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, USA
The authors characterized the historic community stand dynamics of Quercus gambelii to understand the structure and patterns of regeneration and recruitment over time.
The frequency of fire necessary to maintain populations of Q. gambelii is highly uncertain, however, the authors suggest that fire may play an important role in these communities by affecting the rate of succession. Because Q. gambelii is fairly shade-intolerant, long fire return intervals may reduce the regeneration capacity of this species within dense canopies.
Fire and Ecosystem Effects Linkages
The frequency of fire necessary to maintain populations of Q. gambelii is highly uncertain, however, the authors suggest that fire may play an important role in these communities by affecting the rate of succession. Because Q. gambelii is fairly shade-intolerant, long fire return intervals may reduce the regeneration capacity of this species within dense canopies