Depth of underground plant organs and theoretical survival during fire

Abstract

For 21 study sites in the Acadia Forest Experiment Station, near Fredericton, New Brunswick, 34 commonly occurring understory species were studied to determine the depth of underground plant organs capable of growing shoots. Depth of these plant parts tended to be species specific. These depth data, together with a knowledge of the sprouting ability of the underground organs, were used to postulate which species would survive fires of varying intensities. Most species found in the litter layer or in the F and H layer of the forested study sites would be susceptible to fires of low intensity. Rubus canadensis, Kalmia angnstifolia, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Pteridium aquilinum, and Viburnum cassinoides would probably survive severe fires because the subterranean plant organs capable of reproduction were found in the mineral soil. In the bog study sites, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Andromeda glaucopliylla, Kalmia angustifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Ledum groenlandicum, and Rhododendron canadense would likely survive severe fires because the plant organs capable of vegetative reproduction were found 25 cm below the surface of the bog.