Title: The Effects of Periodic Prescribed Fire on the Growth and Survival of Red Maple and Oak Seedlings on Xeric Ridge Tops in Eastern Kentucky
Abstract: Declines in oak (Quercus spp.) advanced regeneration have been accompanied by increases in more shade tolerant species such as red maple (Acer rubrum), which successfully outcompete oak seedlings and saplings in lower light levels. It has been proposed that a lack of fire has contributed to these changes. A long term seedling population study was established on the Stanton District of the Daniel Boone National Forest in 1998 to quantify effects of repeated prescribed fires on survival and growth of oak (including Q. alba, Q. coccinea, Q. prinus, and Q. velutina) and red maple seedlings. Burn treatments were conducted in the early spring in different years on two non-contiguous ridges. Treatments included fire excluded, twice burned, and 3 times burned. On Klaber Ridge, prescribed fires were conducted in 1995, 1999, and 2000 for the treatment with three burns, and in 1996 and 2000 for the treatment with two burns. On Whittleton Ridge, fires were prescribed in 1995, 1999, and 2002 for the 3x burned, and in 1997 and 2002 for the 2x burned. Both ridges had ‘fire excluded’ treatments as well. Seedling height, annual growth, and survival have been measured since 1999. Basal diameter has been measured since 2001. Light measurements using hemispherical photography were taken over seedling clusters in 2001, 2002, and 2003.
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 2
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot