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Recovery and Growth of Vegetation Pre and Post Wildland Fire in the Chaparral of Southern
California
Timothy Schang and Vanessa Haber
Department of Biological Science
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California 92692
The chaparral of Southern California is constantly affected by wild fire with urbanization
expanding into the chaparral. Fire affects the diversity and the populations of plants by allowing
certain species of plants to germinate at higher rates than others. In this project, an area of
chaparral that had burned approximately one year prior was compared to another portion in the
same area that did not burn. Data was collected using the point quarter method. Five transects in
each portion of burned and unburned area (Incomplete sentence). The following plants were found
in both the burned area and unburned area were (You used ‘were’ twice here, I think only one is
necessary.): Lotus scoparius (Deerweed), Rhus integrifolia (Lemonade Berry), Phacelia cicutaria
(Caterpillar Phacelia), Salvia mellifera (Black Sage), Toxicodendron diversilobum (Poisonoak), and
Gnaphalium canescens (Fragrant Everlasting), Adenostoma fasciculatum (Chamise), Malosma
laurina (Laurel Sumac), Wyethia ovate (Southern Mule Ears), Eremocarpus setigerus (Turkey
Mullein), Baccharis salicifolia (Mule's Fat). The study found there was a significant difference in
plant species and their population when compared to an area that had burned approximately one
year ago to date; using the Simpsons Diversity Index (D = 0.89968)(The sentence after the
semicolon is not a complete sentence.). There also was a statistical difference in IV’s of the plants
found area being investigated in the burned area compared to the species found in the unburned
area (p=8.677x10-9, ANOVA).
(What was the purpose and hypothesis for this experiment? Also, you might want to state the
significance of your results. You are pushing the word limit for your abstract so you might have to
compress the results more, i.e. listing each species may be excessive detail. I think the title of your
paper, abstract, and title of each section should be font 12, all other text in font 10.)
Introduction
Pausas et al. (2009) said that wildfires have shaped plants and their defenses against fire before humans
emerged. With that said, wildfires play a key role in ecosystem conservation. (The effects of fire on
biodiversity…) The effects of fires biodiversity have not been as completely studied as many believe.
Some species of plants in the Southern California Chaparral depend on fire to increase the rate of
germination in a burned area. Other plants in the Southern California Chaparral rely on the wind or
animals to bring their seeds into a burned area to germinate. The Orange County Fire Authority Board of
Directors, Freeway Complex Fire After Action Report (2009) detailed about the fire being investigated.
The fire which is being investigated is the Freeway Complex Fire which started on November 15, 2008
and was contained on November 19, 2008. The Fire affected the following cities of Southern California:
Anaheim, Brea, Corona, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, and Yorba Linda. The hypothesis being tested is (The
hypothesis being tested was that there…) there will be a statistical difference in the number of specific
plant species and there Importance Value when compared to a burned and unburned area. (What was the
objective of your experiment, specific purpose? Why was this study performed? What is the experimental
design? What were the predicted results? How does this experiment have scientific interest? Try to
elaborate more on how fire affects biodiversity and germination of certain plants. More references are
needed, should have at least three.)
Methods and Materials
The area selected to collect data was for this experiment was a location in Diamond Bar,
California along the Brea Ridge Motorway; along a 400 meter portion of the Freeway Complex Fire (The
sentence after the semicolon is not a complete sentence.). The data was collected on October 9, 2009
starting at 10:00 am till 2:00pm and October 23, 2009 at 9:30 am till 4:30 pm. The method used to collect
the data was point-quarter sampling. There were a total of ten transect. Five at 100 meter intervals,
measured with a 100 meter transect tape, which went into the burn area. Then another five at 100 meter
intervals, measured with a 100 meter transect tape, which went into the unburned area. Each transect was
100 meter and measured with a 100 meter transect tape. Data was then collected in 20 meter points along
the transect tape. Each point represented the center of the measurement area. Then from the center, a
compass was used to define four quadrants (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast). In each
quadrant the closest plant’s stem or clump of stem’s to the center of the point was measured (point to
plant) and recorded using a 30 meter transect tape. The diameter of the plant was then measured using a
30 meter transect tape. Finally the species of the plant was recorded. This process was repeated for each
transect.
All data was then transferred to MS Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington). The
data was first statistically analyzed using the Simpson’s Diversity Index:
Where n equals the total number of a particular species, and N equals the total number of all species. The
value D ranges between 0 and 1; 1 represents infinite diversity and 0 represents no diversity.
The data was then manipulated algebraically to determine Importance Value (IV) as referenced
by Krebs. (2001) IV (Is the period in the right place? Also, you should only begin a sentence with an
acronym only if there is no reasonable way to rewrite it.) is the sum of the Relative Density, Relative
Frequency, and Relative Coverage. Then all IV were analyzed using an ANOVA: Single Factor to
determine significant difference in IV.
Results
The following plants were found in both the burned area and unburned area were (Again, you
used the word ‘were’ twice.): Lotus scoparius (Deerweed), Rhus integrifolia (Lemonade Berry), Phacelia
cicutaria (Caterpillar Phacelia), Salvia mellifera (Black Sage), Toxicodendron diversilobum (Poisonoak),
and Gnaphalium canescens (Fragrant Everlasting), Adenostoma fasciculatum (Chamise), Malosma
laurina (Laurel Sumac), Wyethia ovate (Southern Mule Ears), Eremocarpus setigerus (Turkey Mullein),
Baccharis salicifolia (Mule's Fat). The study found there was a significant difference in plant species and
their population when compared to an area that had burned approximately one year ago to date; using the
Simpsons Diversity Index (D = 0.89968). Figure-1 shows the Diversity of plant populations in the burned
area compared to the unburned area.
Figure-1: There is a significant difference in number of plant species when compared to an area that had
burned approximately one year ago to date; using the Simpsons Diversity Index (D = 0.89968)
(Figure needs a title.)
The six species of plants that had the highest frequency were: Deerweed, Lemonade Berry,
Caterpillar Phacelia, Black Sage, Poison Oak, and Fragrant Everlasting. The mean Importance Value
(IV) for Deerweed in the burned area was 1.055 ± 0.203 (±SEM, N=5) compared to the mean IV of
Deerweed in the unburned areas was 0.035 ±0.035 (±SEM, N=5). The mean IV for Lemonade Berry in
the burned area was 0.161 ±0.068 (±SEM, N=5), compared to the mean IV of Lemonade Berry in the
unburned area was 1.204 ± 0.291 (±SEM, N=5). The mean IV of Caterpillar Phacelia found in the burned
area was 0.285 ± 0.153 (±SEM, N=5), compared to the mean IV of Caterpillar Phacelia in the unburned
area was 0.0464 ± 0.046 (±SEM, N=5). The mean IV of Black sage found in the burn area was 0.550 ±
0.155 (±SEM, N=5), compared to the mean IV of Black Sage found in the unburned area was 0.055 ±
0.034 (±SEM, N=5). The mean IV for Poison Oak in the Burned area was 0.084 ± 0.053 (±SEM, N=5),
compared to the mean IV of Poison Oak found in the unburned area was 0.245 ± 0.181 (±SEM, N=5).
The mean IV of Fragrant Everlasting found in the burned area was 0.210 ± 0.183 (±SEM, N=5),
compared to the mean IV of Fragrant Everlasting found in the unburned area was 0.710 ± 0.219 (±SEM,
N=5). (Perhaps a table would be more appropriate in listing the Importance Values of each species.)
There was a statistical difference in IV’s of all the species of plants found in the burned area
compared to the same species of plants found in the unburned area (p=8.677x10-9, ANOVA). Upon
running the Bonferroni correction, the difference was between the IV of Lemonade Berry in the burned
versus the unburned area (5.24%). There was also a difference in IV of Deerweed in the burned versus
the unburned area (5.13%). Figure-2 represents the difference in IV of the six most frequently found
plants in the burned area when compared to the plants found in the unburned area.
Figure-2: Mean Importance Values (IV) with standard error of species found in a burned area compared
to species found in an unburned area (N=5).There was a statistical difference in IV’s of the all species
found in the burned area compared to the all species found in the unburned area (p=8.677x10-9, ANOVA).
(Figure needs a title.)
Discussion
Lloret et al. (1991) researched Rhus integrifolia (Lemonade Berry) and found that the majority of
the recovery of this plant in the burned chaparral was due to Peromyscus californicus and Neotoma
fuscipes. The animals would eat the fruit of the Lemonade Berry and then while in the burned chaparral
would release the fecal waste, transporting the seeds of the Lemonade Berry into the burned area so it has
the possibility of germinating. Lemonade Berry bares its fruit in spring and well into summer. This could
account for the relatively low Importance Value of Lemonade Berry plants found in the burned area;
considering they have had one growing season to recover.
Montalvo and Ellstrand (2000) researched how to advance the growth and spread of Lotus
scoparius (Deerweed). There data suggest that success rates will be higher if genetically or
environmentally similar populations are used to supply seeds for restoration and post-fire seeding of
specific sites. With their research this may account for the Deerweed having the highest IV, when ranked,
in the burned area when compared to the rest of the species found in the Burned area.
Keeley (1991) found that heat plus charred wood had a synergistic effect on percentage of
germination of Phacelia cicutaria (Caterpillar Phacelia) over charred wood alone. Although there was
not a statistical difference in IV of Caterpillar Phacelia; this may account for why there was more
Caterpillar Phacelia found in the burned than unburned area (This sentence with the semicolon is a little
awkward.). This was also the case with another research project. Monroe et al. (1991) researched two
shrub species native to Southern California which showed different germination patterns in relation to fire
intensity. Adenostoma had enhanced germination in the control burn; however, as fire intensity increased,
germination decreased. In contrast, while Ceanothus was also stimulated by the heat of the control burn, it
had a significantly much greater germination as fire intensity increased in the treatment, decreasing only
in the most intense treatment (controlled burn).
(You should also explain how your results relate to your objectives. I assume your hypothesis was
supported? You should explain why and how. What is the significance of your conclusions? What are
your speculations on why the other plants had no significant difference? Opinion is allowed in the
discussion, so what is your opinion on the outcome, and the implications of the experiment? Can any
improvements be made in the future, ideas on future research?)
Acknowledgments
A special thanks to Nicole Barret who assisted in collecting data and entering data into MS Excel.
Literature Cited
Charles J. Krebs. 2001. Ecology 5th Ed. San Francisco.
Keeley, J. (1991). Seed Germination and Life History Syndromes in the California Chaparral. Botanical
Review, 57 (2), 81-116. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/
Lloret, F. and Zedler P. (1991). Recruitment Pattern of Rhus integrifolia Populations in Periods between
Fire in Chaparral . Journal of Vegetation Science, 2(2), 217-230. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org
Monroe, J. and Oechel, W. (1991). Fire Intensitys Effects on Germination of Shrubs and Herbs in
Southern California Chaparral. Ecological Society of America, 72(6), 1993-2004. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org
Montalvo, A. and Ellstrand, N. (2000). Transplantation of the Subshrub Lotus scoparius: Testing the
Home-Site Advantage Hypothesis. Conservation Biology, 14(4), 1034-1045. Retrieved from:
http://www.jstor.org/
Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors (2009). Freeway Complex Fire After Action Report.
26-40. Retrieved from http://www.ocfa.org
Pausas, Juli G., Keeley, Jon E. (2009). A Burning Story: The Role of Fire in the History of Life.
Bioscience. 59(7), 593-601, 9. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org
Review Form
Department of Biological Sciences
Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Author (s): Timothy Schang and Vanessa Haber
Title: Recovery and Growth of Vegetation Pre and Post Wildland Fire in the Chaparral of Southern
California
Summary
Summarize the paper succinctly and dispassionately. Do not criticize here, just show that you understood the paper.
Fire plays an important role in the ecosystem of the chaparral of Southern California. In
order to further understand this role, the biodiversity was determined between burned and
unburned areas of the chaparral. This was done by point-quarter sampling of ten plots, five in
burned, and five in unburned areas. Calculating Simpson’s diversity index showed a significant
difference in the diversity of plant species between burned and unburned areas (D=0.89968).
There was a significant difference in importance values for all species between burned and
unburned areas (p=8.677x10-9). Running a Bonferroni correction reduced the number of
significant differences in IV’s between burned and unburned areas to two species: Lemonade
Berry and Deerweed. In comparing the importance values from unburned to burned, Lemonade
Berry had a significant decrease while Deerweed had a significant increase. Based off Lloret’s
research, Lemonade Berry’s decrease in population after the fire may be due to mode of
germination and lack of time to repopulate. As for Deerweed’s increase in population after the
fire, Montalvo and Ellstrand’s study gives insight finding that genetically or environmentally
similar populations have better success at repopulating post-fire environments.
General Comments
Generally explain the paper’s strengths and weaknesses and whether they are serious, or important to our current
state of knowledge.
The motives and objectives did not seem present anywhere in the paper. Also, a more
comprehensive background explanation would give the reader a better understanding of what the
purpose and interest is in this project. The discussion could be a little more thorough; only three
sets of results were discussed. However, comparing those results with the results of other studies
was good.
The methods were explained well, along with the results. The methods and results were
presented clearly and concisely. Furthermore, the techniques used and the data analyses seemed
appropriate to the experiment. This paper does shed some light on the fire’s effects on
biodiversity, at least for two species in a short time span. It also seems to show which species
have faster recovery after a fire and which might benefit from fire in utilizing it for germination.
Technical Criticism
Review technical issues, organization and clarity. Provide a table of typographical errors, grammatical errors, and
minor textual problems. It's not the reviewer's job to copy Edit the paper, mark the manuscript.
Abstract: comma in third sentence, fifth sentence incomplete, sixth sentence is
awkward, seventh sentence has incorrect use of semicolon.
Introduction: comma in second sentence, third sentence grammar, ninth is awkward.
Methods: first paragraph-first sentence incorrect use of semicolon, third paragraph-first
sentence misplaced period, second begins with an acronym.
Results: first paragraph-first sentence awkward, figures need titles.
Discussion: third paragraph-second sentence awkward.
This paper was a final version
This paper was a rough draft