POST-FIRE DEVELOPMENT OF CANOPY STRUCTURE IN A MEDITERRANEAN SHRUB,QUERCUS COCCIFERAL. |
| |
| Authors: | George P Malanson Louis Trabaud |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Geography , University of Iowa Iowa , City, Iowa 52242 USA;2. CNRS Centre Louis Emberger , B.P. 5051 34033 Montpellier, France |
| |
| Abstract: | The canopy structure, including density, the apportionment of biomass in basal stem and branch diameter classes and foliage, and leaf characteristics, was examined for a dense Quercus coccifera garrigue in southern France at 3,9, and 33 years since the last fire. Indications of changing canopy structure were considered in relation to succession, regeneration strategies, water relations, and flammability. Other shrub species and herbs are most abundant at 3 and 33 years following fire, but at 9 years Q. coccifera is especially dominant. At 9 years the density of stems in the middle range of diameter classes is greatest, overall biomass reaches its peak, and leaf area index is highest. The canopy closes quickly, but by 33 years evidence for self-thinning, slowed but continuing basal sprouting, and declining leaf area and biomass is found; senescence may be beginning, but it is not an important factor in the first 33 years of canopy development. The continuity of the below-ground biomass in this and similar vegetation probably plays an important role in determining the optimum tactics for ramets through cyclic successions. Renewed competition in later years in a more open canopy of Q. coccifera, as indicated by the data, probably would be limited by recurrent fire. Key words: biomass, canopy, density, mediterranean, physiognomy.] |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
