Torching Troublesome Species

Fire can effectively be used to control invasive species in areas with fairly frequent fire return intervals. In these ecosystems, the native plant life are already well adapted to fire, either resilient enough or resistant enough to survive a disturbance, while their non-indigenous counterparts are more susceptible. For instance, when Juniper invades an ecosystem dominated by sagebrush, a low-severity fire can be instilled to perpetuate the eradication of the ill-adapted tree. The Juniper’s thin bark and low stature causes flames to consume the plant quickly. Small sagebrush species, such as Sand and Silver Sagebrush, on the other hand, are able to resprout almost immediately after a fire. The decreased competition among the surviving plants along with soil that has newly recycled nutrients gives way to numerous successful sprouts. It is important to note, however, that some fire regimes may remove one invasive species while leading to the introduction of another. In this same scenario, an avenue for cheatgrass invasion could be opened if the area experiences a disturbance. It is necessary to analyze the locality of other invasive species before committing to a prescribed burn.

Depicted is an area in serious need of some burning. As you can see, both Juniper and cheatgrass are invading this sagebrush stand.

 http://www.sltrib.com/news/1918964-155/story.html