The effects of fire on the regeneration of a rare maritime chaparral shrub, Eastwood’s golden fleece (Ericameria fasciculata, Asteraceae)

It is assumed that many chaparral shrubs are capable of recovering following fire. However, little is known about the response of rare species to this form of disturbance. Eastwood’s Golden Fleece (Ericameria fasciculata, Asteraceae) is an endemic shrub to the maritime chaparral of the central California coast and a listed species of concern.  No study has investigated the role of fire on the regenerative potential of rare E.  fasciculata.  A study was conducted at Parker Flats Reserve, Fort Ord, California to identify the potential affect of prescribed burning on mature (flowering) and immature (non-flowering) E. fasciculata.  We found that mature plants experienced higher rates of resprout when exposed to lower burn intensities (60%) compared to higher burn intensities (28%).  We also investigated the covariance of mature plant height on resprout frequency and burn intensity and found that taller mature plants are less likely to recover from higher burn intensities.  This study also suggests that for immature plants the percent survival is invariant to burn intensity.  Fuel loads and subsequent burn intensities are a critical component of management for E. fasciculata.  More frequent burns may result in decreased fuel loads and lower intensity burns leading to increased abundance of E. fasciculata.