Regeneration in Quercus Pyrenaica Ecosystems After Surface Fires

Abstract

Early post-fire structural dynamics in three Quercus pyrenaica communities after intense fires was studied. In the first year there is a marked domination of perennial species (herbaceous or woody); afterwards, herbaceous species tend to decrease in importance and ligneous species increase. Changes in species diversity were analysed as an indicator of recovery and stability in the communities. An increase was observed in the second year, and then diversity was maintained or reduced slightly in the third and fourth years. Spatial heterogeneity tends to diminish with time.