Sphagnum abundance and photosynthetic capacity show rapid short-term recovery following managed burning

Grau-Andrés, Roger; Gray, Alan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6785-0590; Davies, G. Matt. 2017 Sphagnum abundance and photosynthetic capacity show rapid short-term recovery following managed burning. Plant Ecology and Diversity, 10 (4). 353-359. https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2017.1394394

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Abstract/Summary

Background: Prescribed burning in peatlands is controversial due to concerns over damage to their ecological functioning, particularly regarding their key genus Sphagnum. However, empirical evidence is scarce. Aims: The aim of the article is to quantify Sphagnum recovery following prescribed burns. Methods: We completed nine fires at a raised bog in Scotland, achieving a range of fire severities by simulating drought in some plots. We measured Sphagnum cover and chlorophyll fluorescence Fv/Fm ratio (an estimate of photosynthetic capacity) up to 36 months post-fire. Results: Cover of dominant Sphagnum capillifolium was similar in unburnt and burnt plots, likely due to its high moisture content which prevented combustion. Burning decreased S. capillifolium Fv/Fm 5 months after fire from 0.67 in unburnt plots to 0.44 in low fire severity plots and 0.24 in higher fire severity (drought) plots. After 22 months, Fv/Fm in burnt plots showed a healthy photosynthetic capacity of 0.76 and no differences between severity treatments. Other Sphagnum species showed similar post-fire recovery though their low overall abundance precluded formal statistical analysis. Conclusions: S. capillifolium is resilient to low–moderate fire severities and the same may be true for a number of other species. This suggests that carefully applied managed burning can be compatible with the conservation of peatland ecosystem function.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2017.1394394
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	1755-0874
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	chlorophyll fluorescence, drought, fire, fire severity, peatland, prescribed fire, raised bog, Sphagnum capillifolium, vegetation response, wildfire
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	03 Jan 2018 14:00 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/518864

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