Spring Burning Effects on Redberry Juniper-Mixed Grass Habitats

Abstract

Habitat and plant species parameters were compared among untreated, chained, chained/burned, burned/chained, and burned/chained/reburned treatments on redberry juniper-mixed grass rangeland. Chaining followed by burning with a standardized fire plan in mid-March drastically decreased shrub and debris cover, while increasing percentage bare ground. Perennial grass yields were maintained or increased compared to previously chained or untreated areas following burning in a year of above-normal rainfall. Burning in a "dry" year reduced grass yields by 50% of that on areas chained only, but yields were only slightly less than on untreated areas. Grass species density was reduced for 2 growing seasons following burning. Burning greatly reduced annual forbs from March through June of a moist spring. Total forb densities on burned areas were generally similar to, or higher than, those on unburned treatments by July because of extended growth of perennial forbs. March burns appeared to have the most severe impact on the least desirable shrub (redberry juniper), grass (threeawn), and forb (common broomweed) species.