Fire-Induced Mortality of Redberry Juniper [Juniperus Pinchotii Sudw.]

Abstract

Redberry juniper mortality was determined following spring broadcast burns in 1979 and 1980, and individual-plant burns with 3 heat treatments in 1981. Mortality varied from 1 to 100% and was related to bud zone location, plant size, site, and growing conditions. During years of above average precipitation, mortality averaged 70% for plants with the bud zone above the soil surface contrasted to 3% for plants with the bud zone partially below the soil surface. Plant size and site factors such as slope and soil surface stability appeared to affect the rate at which the bud zone was buried by soil, thus producing a fire resistant plant. Plant mortality was significantly increased across all size classes and sites when burns were conducted under hotter conditions and followed by a dry growing season.