Effects of Fire on an Ashe Juniper Community

Abstract

In an ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) community a minimum of 1,000 kg/ha of fine fuel was needed to carry a fire to kill juniper seedlings and burn piles of dozed juniper. Grasses recovered quickly and soil erosion was minimal when burning was done during a wet winter and spring. During a dry winter and spring, however, burning increased drouth stress on plants, reduced herbaceous yields, and exposed soil to wind and water erosion for a long period of time when soil moisture was low.