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Effects of fire on the recruitment of rain forest vegetation beneath Pinus caribaea plantations, Sri Lanka
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The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of groundstory fire on natural regeneration within 18-20-year-old Pinus caribaea plantations. Plots were established within three treatment types: unburned, once burned (within the last 5 years), and multiple burned (within the last 5 years). Three plantations within each treatment type were selected. The diversity, stem density, and basal area of vegetation greater than 1.5 m in height were quantified within 10 m x 10 m plots which were replicated four times within each plantation. Vegetation less than 1.5 m was quantified in I m x I m subplots. Results showed that tree stem density and diversity were greater in unburned treatments than within the two burned treatments. Once-burned plantations were distinguished by lower diversity and density of recruitment yet higher soil fertility as compared with multiple-burned plantations. We attribute this difference to greater fire intensity associated with once-burned plantations. We suggest that plantations that have been established for restoration purposes should be protected from groundstory fire. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.