Effects of Prescribed Fire on Plant Community Structure and Composition in Berard Oaks of Schmeeckle Reserve

The purpose of this study is to compare changes over time in the plant community structure, composition and diversity under various fire frequencies in the Berard Oaks of Schmeeckle Reserve. Using 6 1m2 sample plots they surveyed the baseline data one day prior introducing prescribed fire to the East unit in the spring of 2015. From the vegetation surveys they found species richness increased immediately post fire with a continued increase through time. The burned plot saw an increase of percent cover of C4 grasses and forbs, and slight decrease of C3 grasses, with a steady increase with time. This data shows an acceptance of the alternate hypothesis, witnessing a positive effect on species richness and increase of native C4 plants and forbs. This data can help predict the successional trajectory with continuous treatment and monitoring.