Response of grass species to different fire frequencies in semi-arid rangelands of central Argentina
Daniel V. Peláez A B D G , Romina J. Andrioli A , Omar R. Elia A C D , Eliana E. Bontti E , María A. Tomas F and Francisco R. Blazquez A CA Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
B Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC), Argentina.
C Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
D Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida (CERZOS), Argentina.
E Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA.
F Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), EEA Rafaela, Argentina.
G Corresponding author. Email: dpelaez@criba.edu.ar
This paper is dedicated to the memory of our dear friends Dr Roberto M. Bóo (1944–2007) who, as the leader of our research team, directed this project until his passing, and MS Mirta D. Mayor (1957–2008), an excellent professor and an endeared member of our team.
The Rangeland Journal 35(4) 385-392 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ13025
Submitted: 27 March 2013 Accepted: 23 July 2013 Published: 24 September 2013
Abstract
The study was undertaken to quantify the effect of different controlled fire frequencies on foliar cover, density, individual basal area, and mortality of the most common perennial grass species in the semi-arid rangelands of the southern Caldenal in central Argentina over a 20-year period. Cover of bare soil was also assessed. The study comprised three fire treatments: (i) high fire frequency (controlled burns every 3–5 years; HFF); (ii) low fire frequency (controlled burns every 8 years; LFF); and (iii) unburned control (C). Fire treatments, regardless of frequency, induced an increase in foliar cover and density in desirable grasses, no changes in intermediate grasses, and a decrease in undesirable grasses. Individual basal area tended to be higher for desirable grasses and lower for intermediate and undesirable grasses when subject to fire. Most of the species under study exhibited higher mortality rates in the HFF treatment than in the LFF and C treatments. The results of the study suggest that recurrent controlled burns of moderate intensity may favour the herbage production of desirable perennial grasses. This, in turn, assuming appropriate grazing management, may have a beneficial impact on livestock production. Nevertheless, given the effects of fire on the cover of bare soil and mortality of grasses, further research is needed in order to determine the appropriate fire frequency in terms of rangeland sustainability.
Additional keywords: bare soil, controlled burning, fire frequency, herbage cover, perennial grasses.
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