Savanna Restoration Through Prescribed Fire: Demographic and Physiological Responses of Oak and Hickory Seedlings and Saplings to a Changing Light Environment

Prescribed fire is a common tool for restoring and maintaining degraded oak savannas in the Midwest. Long-term success of restoration and maintenance ultimately depends upon new individuals entering the canopy. However, little is known about seedling and sapling response to this periodic disturbance. This study identifies how fire affects community structure and composition of dominant savanna seedlings and saplings, and takes the novel approach of linking conceptually and empirically demographic responses of seedlings and saplings to growth and gas exchange. This study was conducted within the Drury Conservation Area, located in Taney County, Missouri where there is both historical presence of oak savannas, and varying fire histories. Study sites representing unburned closed forest (N=2) and recently burned closed forest (n=2) were established in 2001. Twelve belt transects with an average area of 102m² were established and sampled to determine indirect links between fire history effects on canopy leaf production and the demography and physiology of seedlings and samplings (Quercus spp., Carya spp., Juniperus spp.). Following prescribed burns, canopy light penetration was significantly greater in burned forest sites than in unburned forest sites. Density, basal area, mortality, and recruitment appear to be increasing in burned forest sites relative to unburned forest sites. Maximum and ambient net photosynthetic rates increased between habitats as light availability increased. Data suggest that current prescribed fire regimes are positively affecting white oak regeneration in previously closed forests, while effectively removing cedar seedlings.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Biology

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

2004

Author dc:creator

• Aubrey, Douglas P.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Alexander Wait

• prescribed fire
• canopy coverage
• savanna restoration
• demography
• gas-exchange
• Quercus spp.
• light availability
• Biology

Statement dc:rights

• © Douglas P. Aubrey

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1226

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2227