Do Postfire Mulching Treatments Affect Plant Community Recovery in California Coastal Sage Scrub Lands? |
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Authors: | Sarah A McCullough Bryan A Endress |
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Institution: | (1) Applied Plant Ecology, Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027, USA |
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Abstract: | In recent years, the use of postfire mulch treatments to stabilize slopes and reduce soil erosion in shrubland ecosystems
has increased; however, the potential effects on plant recovery have not been examined. To evaluate the effects of mulching
treatments on postfire plant recovery in southern California coastal sage scrub, we conducted a field experiment with three
experimental treatments, consisting of two hydromulch products and an erosion control blanket, plus a control treatment. The
area burned in 2007, and treatments were applied to six plot blocks before the 2008 growing season. Treatment effects on plant
community recovery were analyzed with a mixed effects ANOVA analysis using a univariate repeated measures approach. Absolute
plant cover increased from 13 to 90% by the end of the second growing season, and the mean relative cover of exotic species
was 32%. The two hydromulch treatments had no effect on any plant community recovery response variable measured. For the erosion
control blanket treatment, the amount of bare ground cover at the end of the second growing season was significantly lower
(P = 0.01), and greater shrub height was observed (P < 0.01). We conclude that postfire mulch treatments did not provide either a major benefit or negative impact to coastal
sage scrub recovery on the study area. |
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