Post-fire performance of two co-dominant tussock grasses in semi-arid grasslands of north-western Patagonia

• Autores: Gittins, C.; Ghermandi, Luciana; Bran, D.
• Año de publicación: 2011
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: Disturbance; Festuca pallescens; Stipa speciosa; Post-fire survival; Early post-fire defoliation; Interspecific competition; Grazing
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

Patagonia grasslands are subjected to two main disturbances, fire and grazing, but little information is available about its effects on vegetation. We studied post-fire survival and resprouting ability of two dominant grass species, Stipa speciosa and Festuca pallescens, for four years; evaluated the effect of early post-fire defoliation on both species; and tested whether competition is important in post-fire recovery in San Ramón Ranch, NW Patagonia (Argentina). To simulate grazing, a clipping treatment was applied at the beginning and end of growing seasons. Survival rates were high (>60%) and, after three years, biomass of both species in the burned area was similar to the unburned area. Competition seems to play an important role in the early post-fire recovery of both species, particularly in the case of F. pallescens that increased 87% the biomass production without competition. Fire may improve forage quality by eliminating the standing dead material, but early post-fire grazing might endanger the persistence of F. pallescens. We suggest requiring a resting period before livestock introduction and controlling grazing intensity.
Fil: Gittins, C.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Patagonia Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle; Argentina
Fil: Ghermandi, Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina
Fil: Bran, D.. Universidad Nacional del Comahue; Argentina