The Effects of Fire on the Blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima) Community of Southwestern Utah

Abstract

Eight general study sites were examined in the blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima) zone of southwestern Utah in order to assess the impact of burning. All sites had been burned. Age since burning varied from 1 to 37 years. Plots were placed in burned areas with plots in adjacent unburned areas serving as controls. Sites were similar enough that definite trends were distinguishable despite between site variation. Recently burned areas were dominated by forbs, middle aged burns were dominated by grasses, and the oldest burns had reverted back to shrub dominance. Cryptogamic soils crusts were severely affected by burning and showed no signs of recovery after 19.5 years. Blackbrush was also severely affected and showed no signs of recovery after 37 years. Lack of recovery by blackbrush may be due to its paleoendemic nature. Future burning of stands of blackbrush in southwestern Utah is not recommended.