We tested the hypothesis that recurrent fires may limit juniper expansion into southwestern semiarid grasslands and savannas. Seven large fires at Wupatki National Monument, Arizona, burned 38% of the grasslands and dynamic savannas between 1995 and 2017. Mortality of one-seed junipers (Juniperus monosperma) was >50% among smaller trees (<2 m tall), <40% among larger trees (>2 m tall), and 0% in trees >4 m tall. Herbaceous vegetation recovered within 2 to 3 years postfire. This suggests that fires may have limited juniper expansion historically and that fire may be an option for controlling juniper expansion and restoring grassland/savanna ecosystems today. The Rangelands archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.
Practical, non-technical peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol 1, 1979 up to 3 years from the current year. More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.