A summary of responses
to burning exhibited by various plant species and possible explanations
for these responses
|
Observation
|
Possible explanations
|
| Increased Productivity |
Increased nutrient availability
Removal of suppressive dead leaves
Increased average soil temperatures
Extended period of high temperatures
Earlier start to growing season
Removal of competing vegetation |
| Increased flowering |
Increased nutrient availability
Increase in numbers of shoots sprouting |
| Increased seed-dispersal distances |
Removal of canopy from around fruits improves wind-flow
Removal of ground vegetation and litter
Greater foraging distances by seed-dispersal agents |
| Synchronous release of canopy-stored seeds |
Heat treatment of sealed follicles or scales |
| Synchronous germination of soil-stored seeds |
Heat treatment of impermeable seed coats |
| Alteration of surface light and/or temperature regime |
Charcoal residues break dormancy |
| Improved establishment of seedlings |
Increased nutrient availability
Decreased herbivore activity
Satiation of populations of seed predators
Removal of competing vegetation
Degradation of allelopathic chemicals |
