Open Access

ARTICLE

The influence of controlled fires on a plant community in the south of the Caldenal, and its relationship with a regional state and transition model

Tizón¹ FR, DV Peláez^1,2,3, OR Elía^1,2

1 CONICET, CERZOS, Altos del Palihue, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
2 Departamento de Agronomía (UNS), CIC, CERZOS, Altos del Palihue, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
3 Departamento de Agronomía (UNS), CONICET, CERZOS, Altos del Palihue, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

* Corresponding Author:Address Correspondence to: Lic. Rodrigo Tizón, CERZOS, San Andrés 850, B8000FWB - Bahía Blanca, ARGENTINA, e-mail:

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2010, 79(all), 141-146. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2010.79.141

Abstract

Fire plays a fundamental role in the structure of vegetation communities in the Caldenal. However, this effect has decreased considerably since the introduction of domestic cattle, which reduces the amount of fine combustible material. Objectives of this study were (1) to analyze the diversity and composition of a typical vegetation community in the south of the Caldenal after exposure to different fire frequencies, and (2) to show the convenience of using controlled fire for reversing the processes of scrub formation to states with more diverse and productive grassland communities. Forty-five herbaceous and woody species were recorded. Treatment C (control) showed the greatest richness and diversity in December 2006 and 2007. After the last controlled fire, the composition of the vegetation community differed significantly between treatment C and treatments T₁ and T₂ (with burns every 3-4 and 7-8 years, respectively). This change was mainly due to the proliferation of palatable perennial grasses. Vegetation composition was similar for C and T₂ (ANOSIM, R=0.01, p=0.32 and R=0.06, p=0.01, respectively) in 2006 and 2007. However, treatment T₁ showed significant changes (ANOSIM, R=0.42, p=0.01). Nasella clarazii, which is a characteristic palatable grass in the region, was the perennial forage grass with greatest cover in treatment T₂, whereas it was scarce in treatments C and T₁. Unpalatable grasses and bushes grew at sites without fire, e.g. treatment C in this study. Our results show that use of controlled fire of intermediate frequencies would favor the aerial cover of palatable perennial grasses in states that are most useful for sustainable cattle production.

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