Effects of fire-generated gaps on growth and reproduction of golden aster (Pityopsis graminifolia)"

only slightly greater (- 10%), however, inside gaps than outside gaps in May-burned blocks four months after the May fires. We therefore conclude that golden aster potentially performs better within fire-generated gaps than within dense vegetation dominated by wiregrass, at least in years without lightning season (May) fires. We suggest, however, that such differences between gaps and dense vegetation likely have little effect on the long term performance of golden aster in pine savannas frequently burned in May.