Seedling survival of an Abies religiosa cohort under different post-fire conditions

The survival of a cohort of Abies religiosa seedlings was investigated during eight years in all intact forest (NAF) and forest patches affected by: shallow fires (SUPAF), intermediate canopy fires (ICAF), and full canopy fires (FCAF). The objective of this paper was to provide a better understanding oil the natural regeneration processes of A. religiosa. In each patch eight 1 m(2) plots were established and all rooted seedlings within each plot from the 1998 cohort were tagged. Seedling mortality and type of associated damage were recorded throughout censuses from 1998 to 2006. Fallen branches and desiccation of seedlings were the two most important factors associated with their death. Survival probabilities were the lowest in SUPAF and none in NAF The highest survival probabilities were under ICAF condition, and it suggests that this type of fire is all important component of the A. religiosa regeneration niche.