Wildflower covered hill overlooking Soda Lake on the Carrizo Plain
As I sit writing, the Carrizo Plain is burning. This National Monument in southern San Luis Obispo County holds a remnant of native grasslands that once covered much of California's Central Valley. In April, a riot of wildflowers carpets the ground. But the bare blackened ground we're seeing in newsreels from the Madre Fire makes you wonder if anything will survive.
Our grasslands are disappearing at an alarming rate. Over-grazing and agricultural conversion are major factors. Urban development also takes its toll. Increasing temperatures and frequent droughts are altering the ability of native species to outcompete invasive species. And interestingly, fire suppression efforts harm many native habitats here in California.
Fire is a natural and necessary occurrence in grassland ecosystems. According to the California Native Grasslands Association, the natural fire return interval for California grasslands is between 2 and 25 years. Regular wildfires suppress woody plants and invasive species. Most grasses and plains wildflowers store their growth structure at or below the soil level, allowing them to survive and even thrive after fire.
A fast-moving grass fire removes larger plants freeing up light, moisture, and nutrients. It stimulates microbial activity, making nutrients more available and releasing nitrogen. The ash from the fire acts as a natural fertilizer for new plant growth. And research suggests that the diversity of species in grasslands is less attractive to pests and pathogens, which favor dense stands of uniform species.
If the fire does not burn too hot, it could lead to a super bloom after the winter rains. Many of our wildflower species in fire-dependent communities need heat or smoke to germinate. Some are only seen within the first year or two after a fire. Whispering bells (Emmenanthe penduliflora) are most commonly found in recent burn areas. While several species of phacelia grow in the Carrizo Plain, the largeflower phacelia (Phacelia grandiflora) is an endemic fire follower. Endemic species are specific to a particular geographical area and conditions.
Grasslands provide more than a beautiful palette of spring wildflowers. They serve as habitats for birds and pollinating insects, stabilize soil, and provide clean water sources. The Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve is home to a large herd of Tule elk. Fortunately, a herd of 50 Tule elk has been sighted surviving in the burn area.
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