Experiment 133
Fire Effects on Structure and Function of Oak
Savanna/Woodlands
Summary:
This study examines the effects of long-term prescribed
burning treatments on vegetation structure and composition, productivity,
and nutrient cycling in upland oak savanna and woodland vegetation. The
basis for the study is an ongoing, experimental prescribed burning program
begun in 1964 at Cedar Creek, and a similar program operating since 1962 on the adjacent Helen Allison
Savanna property (owned by The Nature Conservancy). These prescribed burning
programs are designed to subject upland oak
communities (and some old fields) to different burn frequencies and patterns
of burning, with the ultimate objectives of 1) restoring and maintaining the historically important savanna and
open woodland vegetation, and 2) providing information about the effects
of different burning patterns on vegetation
structure and composition. This study addresses the latter of these two
purposes and expands on it by also investigating possible influences of
fire on resource availability (nutrients, water,
and light) and net primary productivity. This study represents a continuation
and expansion of experiments 015 and 094.
Lead Investigators: Peter Reich, David Wedin, Sarah Hobbie & Mark
Davis
Started: 1995
METADATA - Methods and Data Description