Habitat fragmentation decouples fire-stimulated flowering from plant reproductive fitness

What is it about?

Fire stimulates flowering for many plant species across historically fire-dependent habitats worldwide. While this increased reproductive effort after fire is often assumed to result in greater seed production, our study of plant reproduction in fragmented prairies revealed that the influence of fire on reproductive outcomes depends on population size. In large populations, fire increases mating opportunities, leading to better pollination and greater seed production. However, in small populations with fewer than 30 plants, fire does not consistently improve pollination or seed production.

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Photo by Stephan H. on Unsplash

Photo by Stephan H. on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Conservation practitioners rely on prescribed fire to maintain habitat structure and promote species diversity across historically fire-dependent habitats worldwide. Many of these fire-dependent habitats are experiencing habitat loss and fragmentation. Our research reveals that habitat fragmentation compromises the reproductive benefits associated with synchronized flowering after fire. Prescribed fire can improve seed production in fragmented patches of prairie and other fire-dependent habitats but may become ineffective after populations shrink below 30 individuals making it important to act before plant populations become too small and isolated.