how can fire, a destructive event, actually be beneficial to the grassland ecosystem?

Answer 1

Grasslands go through stages when they grow, the best stage for wildlife is grass. After a long time sage and shrubs take over. The fire kills these plants and makes room for new grass to grow. It will still take years before good grasses come in there will be soft, leafy plants for the first while. Ranchers imitate this by planting alfalfa with grass seeds when they are making a new pasture. The fire adds nutrients to the soil. Buffalo also rip up the ground when they pass through the same way. Although I don't think the fire causes germination the way it does with forest fires.

Answer 2

Periodic fires in forests preclude disastrous fires from going on because of the fact they sparkling out the lifeless cloth on the floor. If it somewhat is too long between fires, then the eventual fire burns too warm and kills timber. Periodic fires shield prairies and different grasslands because of the fact the community prairie grasses and forbs can immediately strengthen returned on a similar time as the fire kills timber and shrubs. community individuals used to set fires to burn off the grasslands. different reward: -- some seeds won't strengthen until eventually they have been heated with the help of a fire. -- blackened flowers absorbs sunlight and heats the earth greater immediately interior the spring so the flowers get a head start up -- burning off a grassland eliminates the lifeless flowers that could waste effective precipitation if the rain soaks into the lifeless plant be counted and evaporates immediately into the air rather of achieving the floor

Answer 3

Some plants have seeds that will not germinate unless they are heated in a fire. Grassland plants evolved in a habitat that experienced frequent fires so they come back more quickly than weeds do so a fire will clean out the weeds. Fires in forests will do some of the same good things, return leaves and branches into the soil, kill off less fire resistant species, and "energize" seeds to germinate.

Answer 4

The burnt part of the grassland will become fertile due to the burnt remains of the plants that act as fertilizer. The cleared area also enables new plants to grow.

Answer 5

Also, when an area gets too populated with plants, resources must be shared between them all and none can get enough causing sickly, undernourished plants. Fire takes care of overpopulation so the process can start over with more healthy plants.

Answer 6

because it makes ash. ash is rich in nutrients the same way lava is. but the difference is that lava rock is hard and the nutrient can't be used. (for some time) the plants will grow back better and bigger afterwords. this would be a example of secondary succesion.

Answer 7

The fires clear out a lot of brush, paving the way for new growth. This is how new forests begin.

Answer 8

Prescribed, controlled burns are often used to clear small brush away so that when there's a wildfire, it's more easily contained and doesn't spread as quickly.

Answer 9

while most effects are negative, The burnt greenery will deposit nutrients in the soil making it more fertile for future plant growth.

Answer 10

it gets rid of all the dead matter taking up space