Fire Effects on Blue Grama-Pinyon-Juniper Rangeland in New Mexico

Abstract

Study of an April 1964 fire in the blue grama-pinyon-juniper vegetation type of New Mexico showed that forage production was reduced significantly the first year on the burned area but recovered by the end of the second. Species composition of herbaceous vegetation was not significantly affected. Loss of live grass crowns was fully recovered by the second year. Litter was significantly less on the burned area all three years of the study. About 24% of the juniper and 13.5% of the pinyon pine were killed by the fire. Cholla less than one ft tall were damaged more by the fire than those 2 to 3 ft tall.