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The importance of disturbance by fire and other abiotic and biotic factors in driving cheatgrass invasion varies based on invasion stage

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Abstract

Disturbances create fluctuations in resource availability that alter abiotic and biotic constraints. Exotic invader response may be due to multiple factors related to disturbance regimes and complex interactions between other small- and large-scale abiotic and biotic processes that may vary across invasion stages. We explore how cheatgrass responds to both frequency and season of prescribed burning for a 10-year period in ponderosa pine forested stands. To understand interactions of fire disturbance, other abiotic factors, biotic resistance, and propagule pressure, we use long-term data from different spatial scales representing different invasion stages (local establishment or spread and broader scale extent/impact) to model cheatgrass dynamics. We found that after 10 years, cheatgrass cover increased with fall burning regardless of burn frequency (1 burn vs. 3 burns). There was no evidence that cheatgrass invasion is decreasing through time even in areas burned only once. Factors important for explaining local fine-scale cheatgrass establishment and spread, and broader scale extent/impact varied. The spatial extent of the first burns facilitated fine-scale cheatgrass establishment while bare soil cover constrained establishment. Biotic resistance, in the form of native annual forb cover, constrained fine-scale cheatgrass spread. Initial cheatgrass abundance in 2002, a factor related to propagule pressure, was key for explaining the broader scale extent/impact of cheatgrass by 2012. Biotic resistance, in the form of native perennial grass cover, constrained extent/impact but only when initial cheatgrass abundance was low. Our findings regarding factors affecting invasion dynamics may be useful to consider for future restoration and conservation efforts in burned ponderosa pine forests.

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Acknowledgements

This study was largely supported over the years by a series of funding opportunities by the Joint Fire Science Program and the National Fire Plan (Grant No. 12_01_01_10). As in any long-term research project, many people assisted with data collection and analysis. For brevity, we forego a complete list but many individuals’ efforts are recognized. Special thanks to Douglas Westlind for his oversight of the project, to Walter Thies and Christine Niwa for their initial efforts implementing the study, and the Malheur National Forest Emigrant Creek Ranger District for conducting periodic prescribed burns and other operational support. We also thank Patricia Cordell and two anonymous reviews for improving this paper.

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  1. Corvallis Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Becky K. Kerns

  2. Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, College of Forestry, Oregon State University, 321 Richardson Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Becky K. Kerns & Michelle A. Day

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  1. Becky K. Kerns
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Correspondence to Becky K. Kerns.

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Kerns, B.K., Day, M.A. The importance of disturbance by fire and other abiotic and biotic factors in driving cheatgrass invasion varies based on invasion stage. Biol Invasions 19, 1853–1862 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-017-1395-3

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