Spring burning Japanese brome in a western wheatgrass community

Abstract

Plots dominated by Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus) and western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) were burned in Badlands National Park, South Dakota, in April 1983 and/or 1984. Standing crop of all species and tiller densities of the 2 dominate species were determined for 4 years. Burning favored western wheatgrass and reduced Japanese brome tiller density and standing crop for at least 1 growing season. In years where no burning occurred, Japanese brome standing crop and tiller density were dependent on the presence of litter on the soil surface. Burning in April killed Japanese brome seedlings for 1 growing season and reduced subsequent generations by reducing surface litter accumulations, with the effect being greatest when autumn precipitation was below average. April burning reduced the standing crop of green needlegrass (Stipa viridula) for at least 3 growing seasons after burning but increased standing crop of buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) and sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) for 3 to 4 years after burning. Threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia) standing crop was not significantly affected by burning.