Effects of prescribed fire on Chamaespartium tridentatum ((L.)P. Gibbs) in Pinus pinaster (Aiton) forests

Abstract

Prescribed burning in Pinus pinaster forests was evaluated in terms of the effects on Chamaespartium tridentatum. Postfire forage quantity and quality were studied. Total biomass production, current year's shoot production, and nutritive value were studied in relation to time since fire. Chamaespartium, a vigorous resprouter, achieved 50% of its preburn biomass level in 2 years. Current year's shoot production reached a maximum 3 to 4 years after fire. Nutritive value of Chamaespartium was briefly enhanced by burning but returned to preburn levels. Seasonal variations of forage quality were very important with lower values in summer or fall. Short-lived increases in protein, cellulose, and hemi-cellulose contents after fire in Chamaespartium shoots returned to preburn levels in 4 years. This supported the traditional fire frequency in the shrublands of 3 to 7 in order to maintain forage quality and productivity.