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We measured responses in 46 species of resprouting plants of Florida scrub and related habitats at Archbold Biological Station following 15 single fires from 2006-2012. Resprouting species were grouped into seven species groups and four habitat types. Burns occurred during either the wet, dry or fire season as defined by Platt et al. 2015. Fire temperatures and residence times were recorded using HOBO data loggers at the base of each marked plant. Survival and growth measures were recorded pre- and for up to eight years post-fire.

Fires had variable intensities with maximum temperatures ranging from 47-890 degrees C (mean 549 degrees C) and residence times ranging from 0-83 minutes (mean ten). Consumed plants experienced higher fire intensity than scorched plants, and residence times were higher during the fire season and with drier conditions. Across all species affected by fire, 86% of plants survived and resprouted post-fire. First year survival was unrelated to fire variables with high survival across all maximum temperatures and residence times. Burn season, habitat, and species group did not significantly affect survival. On average across all species, post-fire growth recovered to pre-fire heights within four years. RGR was significantly affected by species group and burn season. Herbs and palmettos recovered relatively rapidly. Recovery was slowest during the fire season, and fastest after burns conducted in the fire season.

Resprouting perennial plants that dominate Florida scrub and surrounding habitats appear resilient to a wide range of fire intensities, as measured by maximum temperatures and residence times. Post-fire growth was rapid, with recovery of pre-fire heights in four years. Species groups varied in post-fire recovery rates. In these habitats, fire is critical to maintain the habitat structure for many animals and plants, including many rare species. The slower recovery of biomass for some species like oaks, results in the longer availability of gaps for these rare species. In addition, variability in post-fire survival and growth among species groups likely contributes to the persistence of species diversity and complexity across habitats. However, variation in fire intensity will have little effect on species composition and habitat structure. A range of fire regimes can be used in management without having major impacts on resprouting plants in Florida scrub and related vegetation.