Fire in pine forests of the dry tropics of Nicaragua-Post effects

Abstract

The research was conducted in the foothills of the Dipilto Nature Reserve and in Jalapa; in order to assess the post-fire effects on the richness and cover of herbaceous and woody pine forest.

Three fire intensities were identified: high, medium, low and a control one (no burned area); by means of the scar left by the fire in the shafts of the pine trees. Circular plots of 314.16 m2 were established whereby richness and cover in three vegetation strata were quantified: Tree, shrub and herbaceous.

In the high intensity a total of 22 species were found. While in the medium and low intensity 18 species were recorded. In the unburned area, 12 species were found. Clearly, the highest species richness was observed in the high intensity, which is due to the activation mechanisms of regrowth and seed banks.

The increased coverage of herbaceous and woody species is directly proportional to the intensity of the fire, which is linked to species richness.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/farem.v0i11.1608

Revista Científica de FAREM-Estelí No.11 2014: 91-101