Shrub Response to High and Low Severity Burns Following Clearcutting in Northern Idaho

Abstract

Abstract Early seral shrub community development following clearcutting is documented for fall broadcast burns aged 0-5 and 15 years on a western redcedar (Thuja plicata)/beadlilly (Clintonia uniflora) habitat type. Shrub cover was dominated by redstem ceanothus (Ceanothus sanguineus), blackberry (Rubus ursinus), thimbleberry (R. parviflorus), common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), and 8 other shrub species. Frequency of occurrence differed significantly (P < 0.05) with burn severity (6 of 12 species), but not with burn age (10 of 12 species) up to 15 years after fire. Percent canopy cover of seedlings and sprouts, summed over species, differed with burn severity on burns less than 4 years old. There was greater total cover of rhizomatous shrub sprouts (P < 0.01) on low severity burns. Cover of shrub seedlings was significantly less (P = 0.03) on low severity than on high severity burns. However, there was no difference (P = 0.60) in cover of nonrhizomatous sprouts on high and low severity burns. West. J. Appl. For. 3(1):5-9, January 1988.