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.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
Burning increased foliar cover and density of desirable grasses.
- Taxon
- grass speciest0
- Treatment
- Fire treatmentse0
- Outcome
- foliar cover and density in desirable grassese0
- Direction
- increasee0
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“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.”
t0“grass species”
Claim · model-written summary
Burning did not change foliar cover and density of intermediate grasses.
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“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.”
t0“grass species”
Claim · model-written summary
Burning decreased foliar cover and density of undesirable grasses.
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“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.”
t0“grass species”
Claim · model-written summary
Basal area tended to be higher for desirable grasses under fire.
- Taxon
- grassese0
- Treatment
- firee0
- Outcome
- Individual basal areae0
- Direction
- highere0
- Qualifier
- desirable grassese0
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“Individual basal area tended to be higher for desirable grasses and lower for intermediate and undesirable grasses when subject to fire.”
Claim · model-written summary
Basal area tended to be lower for intermediate and undesirable grasses under fire.
- Taxon
- grassese0
- Treatment
- firee0
- Outcome
- Individual basal areae0
- Direction
- lowere0
- Qualifier
- intermediate and undesirable grassese0
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“Individual basal area tended to be higher for desirable grasses and lower for intermediate and undesirable grasses when subject to fire.”
Claim · model-written summary
Most studied grass species had higher mortality under high than low frequency fire or no burning.
Verbatim
e0“Most of the species under study exhibited higher mortality rates in the HFF treatment than in the LFF and C treatments.”
t0“grass species”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors suggest recurrent moderate burns may favor desirable perennial grass herbage production.
Verbatim
e0“The results of the study suggest that recurrent controlled burns of moderate intensity may favour the herbage production of desirable perennial grasses.”