Grasses

Jennifer M. Fill, Shelby LeClare, andRaelene M. Crandall

Pine savannas of the southeastern United States are globally significant ecosystems characterized by high biodiversity and a long evolutionary history with fire. A “feedback loop” involving perennial grasses that easily burn, such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), cutthroat grass (Coleataenia abscissa), pineywoods dropseed (Sporobolus junceus) and, especially, wiregrass (Aristida stricta and A. beyrichiana) helps maintain pine savanna habitats. Wiregrass promotes frequent, low-intensity fires due to its flammable structure, rapid regrowth, and persistence across a range of fire regimes. Wiregrass helps spread fires even under moist conditions, and it recovers quickly after fires. Although fire suppression threatens the structure and function of pine savannas, remnant wiregrass populations demonstrate resilience and support ecosystem recovery when fire is reintroduced.