Cottongrasses
Eriophorum spp.
Family: Cyperaceae
Examples: E. angustifolium, E. latifolium
Fire effect on plant
Cottongrasses are likely top-killed by fire, with rhizomes surviving low- to moderate-severity fires (Wein and Bliss 1973).
Key traits
Cottongrasses are able to resprout from buds in root crowns that are protected by tussocks bases, moss mats, and peat (Wein and Bliss 1973). However, in young plants, where the tussock growth form is less developed, there is greater risk of fire damage and mortality (Archibold 1989). They can regrow quickly after fire and are frequently the first with signs of regrowth after fire (Wein and Bliss 1973).
Cottongrass populations can also recovery after fire via recruitment via the soil-seedbank, or from seeds blown into burnt sites, with abundant germination seen after fire (Racine 1977). However, recruitment is likely less important compared to resprouting in post-fire recovery (Wein and Bliss 1973).
Cottongrass flower and seed production are often stimulated by fire. (Rawes and Hobbs 1979).
Plant response to fire
Cottongrass species are considered to be fire-adapted (Racine et al. 2006), with a high capacity to resist fire (Archibold 1989; Rowe 1980). Cottongrass abundance is enhanced by fire and declines with time since fire (Whitehead et al. 2021).
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering April to June.
Conservation status
Protected - E. gracile
References
Archibold, O. W. 1989. Seed banks and vegetation processes in coniferous forests. In: Leck, Mary Allessio; Parker, V. Thomas; Simpson, Robert L., eds. Ecology of soil seed banks. San Diego, CA: Academic Press: 107-122. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Racine, C.H. 1979. The 1977 tundra fires in the Seward Peninsula, Alaska: effects and initial revegetation. BLM-Alaska Technical Report 4. Anchorage, AK: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office. 51 p [Empirical evidence; Grey literature]
Racine, C., Allen, J. L., Dennis, J. G. 2006. Long-term monitoring of vegetation change following tundra fires in Noatak National Preserve, Alaska. Report No. NPS/AKRARCN/NNTR-2006/02. Fairbanks, AK: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Alaska Region, Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. 37 p [Empirical evidence; Grey literature]
Rawes, M., Hobbs, R. 1979. Management of semi-natural blanket bog in the northern Pennines. Journal of Ecology 67: 789-807 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Rowe, J. S. 1983. Concepts of fire effects on plant individuals and species. In: Wein, Ross W.; MacLean, David A., eds. The role of fire in northern circumpolar ecosystems. SCOPE 18. New York: John Wiley and Sons: 135-154. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Wein, R. W., and Bliss, L. C. 1973. Changes in Arctic Eriophorum Tussock Communities Following Fire. Ecology 54: 845–852. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Whitehead, S, Weald, H., Baines, D. 2021. Post-burning responses by vegetation on blanket bog peatland sites on a Scottish grouse moor. Ecological Indicators 123: 107336 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]