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Prescribed fire and cutting as tools for reducing woody plant succession in a created salt marsh

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Abstract

This paper reports on efforts to reduce woody successional growth by the native shrub Iva frutescens L. in a created salt marsh by using prescribed fire and cutting. Experimental treatments included a winter burn, cutting plants at ground level, and a combination burn-and-cut treatment, with replicate plots of each. Iva frutescens proved to be extremely hardy, with zero mortality following the cutting, burning, or combination treatment; similar levels of regrowth were observed for all treatments. Individual shrub response, however, was found to be related to initial plant size, ground water level and salinity, and two fire characteristics (total heating >60°C and total heat index >60°C). Fire severity, sediment nutrient concentrations, and other abiotic factors had no observable effects.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Sabine NWR staff and fire personnel, A. Billock, J. Reiser, R. Chiasson, K. Mills, and J. Kemmerer for providing field assistance. We also thank M. Whitbeck, B. Middleton, B. Vairin, and J. Davis for manuscript review and D. Johnson for statistical advice. Funding for this research was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wetland Biogeochemistry Institute, Louisiana State University, 3201 Energy, Coast & Environment Building, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Alaina B. Owens

  2. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA

    C. Edward Proffitt

  3. U.S. Geological Survey: National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA

    James B. Grace

Authors
  1. Alaina B. Owens
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  2. C. Edward Proffitt
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  3. James B. Grace
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Correspondence to Alaina B. Owens.

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Owens, A.B., Proffitt, C.E. & Grace, J.B. Prescribed fire and cutting as tools for reducing woody plant succession in a created salt marsh. Wetlands Ecol Manage 15, 405–416 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-007-9039-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-007-9039-5

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