Divergent successional pathways of stand development following fire in aCalifornia closed‐cone pine forest

Abstract

AbstractQuestionsWhat are the major trends in vegetation community structure and forest stand structure over a 14‐yr post‐fire period in aCalifornia closed‐cone pine forest? Which biotic and abiotic factors best explain variation in stand structure at different stages of post‐fire succession, and does the relative importance of these factors remain constant? Is there evidence of multiple successional pathways of forest stand development?LocationPost‐firePinus muricata(bishop pine) forests atPointReyesNationalSeashore,CA,USA.MethodsWe quantified post‐fire vegetation change from field data collected 1, 2, 6 and 14 yr following stand‐replacing wildfire that occurred in 1995. General linear models were used to assess trends in composition (plant functional groups and species diversity) and generalized linear models were used to assess trends in stand structure (post‐fireP. muricatadensity) and determine the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors on stand structure in different early‐successional post‐fire years.ResultsSpecies richness and diversity peaked in the first 2 yr following fire, and then declined through year 14. Initial post‐fireP. muricatatree regeneration was high (mean 249 750 stems·ha−1in year 1) and remained well above pre‐fire stand density levels by year 14 (mean 15 179 stems·ha−1). Post‐fireP. muricataseedling density was associated with topographic factors in years 1 and 2, negatively associated with cover of a non‐native herb in year 2, and negatively associated with cover of an early/mid‐successional shrub and positively associated with slope in years 6 and 14. Two alternative pathways of post‐fire stand development have emerged by year 14. A high‐density, closed‐canopy pathway (mean 40 875 stems·ha−1) with early intra‐specific thinning resulted on steep slopes and ridges with low shrub cover. In contrast, a low‐density, open‐canopy pathway (mean 1250 stems·ha−1) resulted on gentle slopes and where shrub cover was high.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of divergent successional pathways and illustrates the importance of early‐successional species interactions and topography on longer‐term stand development trajectories in serotinous conifer forests. Early heterogeneity in vegetation establishment set the course for variability in stand structure in mid‐seral stages and may persist into later stages.