Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2009.17349.x
Title (Primary) Fire-mediated interactions between shrubs in a South American temperate savannah
Author Biganzoli, F.; Wiegand, T.; Batista, W.B.
Source Titel Oikos
Year 2009
Department OESA
Volume 118
Issue 9
Page From 1383
Page To 1395
Language englisch
Abstract We examined spatial patterns of fire-caused mortality and after-fire establishment of two dominant shrub species, Baccharis dracunculifolia and Eupatorium buniifolium in a humid temperate South American savannah. Our objective was to determine whether fires mediate in interactions between these two species. After a natural fire burned a large tract of savannah, we established two plots (respectively 550 and 500 m2) within which we mapped all surviving and dead shrubs as well as all individuals of shrub species that recruited in the following year. We used techniques of point-pattern analysis to test specific null hypotheses about spatial associations in the distribution, mortality, and establishment of shrubs. Results support the notions that fire mediates interactions between these two species. Fire-caused death of E. buniifolium tended to occur selectively in the vicinities of Baccharis individuals, and recruitment of B. dracunculifolia tended to be concentrated in the places of dead shrubs. These responses, however, were contingent on local abundances of shrubs which depend in part from the recent fire history. Anthropogenic perturbation of the natural fire regime would have therefore distorted the role of fire mediated interactions as drivers of the dynamics of the vegetation of this temperate savannah.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=65
Biganzoli, F., Wiegand, T., Batista, W.B. (2009):
Fire-mediated interactions between shrubs in a South American temperate savannah
Oikos 118 (9), 1383 - 1395 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2009.17349.x