Producers and the Fire Cycle in a Phryganic Ecosystem

The severe summer drought combined with high temperatures leads to a high frequency of fires in mediterranean-type ecosystems. The relation of this climatic type with fire has been long ago noted (Griesebach, 1872). Shantz (1947) refers to the mediterranean-type ecosystems of California as “fire-type” or “fire-climax”. The numerous adaptations of plants dominating mediterranean-type ecosystems indicate that fire has been a strong selective force and that these systems can be considered as “fire-induced” or “fire-adapted” (Jepson, 1930; Naveh, 1973; Biswell, 1974).