Saddleback Journal of Biology - Saddleback College

Fall 2009 Biology 3B Paper
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 and unburned area
were: 1.055 ± 0.203 (±SEM, N=5) and 0.035 ±0.035
(±SEM, N=5), respectively. The mean IV for
Lemonade Berry in the burned and unburned area
were: 0.161 ±0.068 (±SEM, N=5) and 1.204 ± 0.291
(±SEM, N=5), respectively. The mean IV of Caterpillar
Phacelia found in the burned and unburned area were:
0.285 ± 0.153 (±SEM, N=5) and 0.0464 ± 0.046
(±SEM, N=5), respectively. The mean IV of Black
sages found in the burned and unburned area were:
0.550 ± 0.155 (±SEM, N=5) and 0.055 ± 0.034 (±SEM,
N=5), respectively. The mean IV for Poison Oak in the
burned and unburned area were: 0.084 ± 0.053 (±SEM,
N=5) and 0.245 ± 0.181 (±SEM, N=5), respectively.
The mean IV of Fragrant Everlasting found in the
burned and unburned area were: 0.210 ± 0.183 (±SEM,
N=5) and 0.710 ± 0.219 (±SEM, N=5), respectively.
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.
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
Importance Value
Mean IV Burned
Figure 2. Mean Importance Values (IV) with standard
error of the mean 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).
Discussion
Mean IV Unburned
Both of the hypotheses were supported in this
study. The hypothesis that there was a difference in
diversity of plant species in the burned and unburned
area was supported (D = 0.89968, Simpsons Diversity
Index). The other hypothesis, that there was a
difference in plant species’ Importance Value when
compairing plants in the burned to the unburned area
was also supported (p=8.677x10 -9 , ANOVA).
Contary to Keely (2006) the study found there
was little re-growth of Rhus integrifolia (Lemonade
Berry) in the burned area under investigation. In
Lloret’s et al. (1991) research of Rhus integrifolia
(Lemonade Berry) found that the majority of the
recovery of this plant in the burned chaparral was due
to Peromyscus californicus (California Mouse) and
Neotoma fuscipes (Dusky-footed Woodrat). 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 Lotus scoparius
Deerweed. Their data suggested that the success rates
will be higher if genetically or environmentally similar
populations are used to resupply seeds for restoration
and post-fire seeding of specific sites. With this
research this may account for the Deerweed having the
highest IV in the burned area when compared to the
rest of the species found in the burned area. Similar to
Hanes (1971) paper, our study found there were many
Deerweed in the area being researched. In his paper he
said that in approximately ten years Deerweed would
be over taken by species such as Adenostoma
fasciculatum (Chamise). The mean Importance Value
(IV) for Chamise in the burned area being study was
0.060 ± 0.060 (± SEM, N=5), one of the lowest IV’s in
the burned area. It could be possibly beneficial to
conduct this study again in another five to ten years to
determine if the Deerweed would be overtaken in the
next five to ten years.
Monroe et al. (1991) researched two shrub
species native to Southern California which showed
different germination patterns in relation to fire
intensity. Adenostoma fasciculatum (Chamise) had
enhanced germination in the control burn; however, as
fire intensity increased, germination decreased. In this
study the IV for Chamise was the second lowest of all
the species collected. One may suppose the low IV
was due to the Freeway Complex Fire burned in
relatively high intensity in the area being investigated.
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Saddleback Journal of Biology
Spring 2010