Early Succession in Aspen Communities Following Fire in Western Wyoming

Abstract

Aspen clones in varying degrees of deterioration were burned in northwestern Wyoming in an attempt to regenerate the site. Large numbers of aspen suckers are necessary to perpetuate these stands under current heavy ungulate use. Sucker numbers doubled the second year after burning and by the end of the third year had returned to near preburn levels of 15,000-20,000 suckers per hectare. This slight increase in sucker numbers is probably not sufficient to regenerate the stands under current browsing pressures. Total understory production declined the first year following fire and then increased to 3,600 kg/ha the second year-almost double preburn conditions. Production decreased the third year to about one-third greater than before burning. Forb and grass production increased and shrubs decreased as a result of burning. Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) was the largest post-fire contributor to total understory production.