Effect of Wildfires on Woody Species in the Monte Region of Argentina

Abstract

Woody vegetation was assessed on two adjacent areas 1 year after the occurrence of wildfires. One area was burned slowly by a backfire that moved mostly through the understory, while the other area was burned by a rapidly-moving headfire that reached into all crowns of trees and shrubs. The six woody species studied exhibited some degree of mortality after both fires, with the headfire causing significantly more mortality than the backfire. The tops of all woody plants were killed by both types of fire, except for caldén, which had considerable new crown growth following the backfire. Significantly greater percentages of plants of all six species were able to sprout following a backfire. Plant ignition and subsequent wood consumption were generally higher when subjected to a headfire than a backfire. The degree of ignition and wood consumption apparently had a direct effect on the ability of the plant to produce sprouts.