Effects of Prescribed Fire on Plant Traits and Community Characteristics of Triarrhena Lutarioriparia in Poyang Lake, China

As an important wetland with international significance in biodiversity conservation, Poyang Lake is under severe pressure from increasing human activities, such as prescribed fire. In this study, a fire-prone plant community (Triarrhena lutarioriparia L. Liou) was selected in Poyang lake, and a 5-year study on annual prescribed fire and corresponding monitoring were conducted in this representative plant community. Results showed that sprout density, plant height and biomass of burn samples were significantly higher than those of the control. However, burn samples presented significantly lower values of species richness and community biodiversity in the later period. Furthermore, periodical fire significantly promoted the availability of nitrogen and phosphorous in surface soil, which were closely and positively related to height, dominance and biomass of T. lutarioriparia.. Considering the positive influences on the plant traits and species composition, prescribed fire could potentially be used as an effective means to maintain the ecological health of Poyang Lake.