Changes of ground vegetation and tree-ring growth after surface fires in scots pine forests

Abstract

The influence of low-intensity surface fires were investigated on the development of ground vegetation and tree growth in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands on sandy soils. The study was conducted in eastern part of Lithuania (55°35'N, 26°07'E). The annual investigations in 1-4-year-old burned sites show that low intensity surface fires mostly affected above-ground part of ground vegetation. Surface fires have destroyed above-ground part of ground vegetation cover, but it began to recover in the subsequent years. Within 3-4 years burned sites have had even higher number of species and ground vegetation coverage than in unbumed sites. The pioneer herb species and also dwarf shrubs, mainly Vaccinium myrtillus, were spread out. The recovery of moss cover was still non-significant. Investigations show, that low intensity surface fires didn't affect annual radial increment.