An Invasive Grass Increases Live Fuel Proportion and Reduces Fire Spread in a Simulated Grassland

摘要: Fire is a globally important ecosystem process, and invasive grass species generally increase fire spread by increasing the fuel load continuity of native grassland fuelbeds. We suggest that grasses are photosynthetically active, while plant community dormant reduce introducing high-moisture, live vegetation gaps in fuelbed. describe invasion pattern cool-season grass, tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub), tallgrass prairie, use spatially explicit behavior models to simulate under several combinations load, invasion, weather scenarios. Reduced increased extent reduced spread, but high wind speed low relative humidity can partially mitigate these effects. attribute asynchrony growing seasons exotic, fescue, native, warm-season prairie this model system. scenarios indicate an factor especially invaded beds. These results present novel connection between asynchronous phenology communities pyrogenic ecosystems.