Wildfires play a multiple role in the distribution of dwarf mistletoes - they may either inhibit or encourage these parasites depending primarily on the size and intensity of the burn. Many reports suggest that fire exclusion policies of the past half century have resulted in increased dwarf mistletoe levels as, well as increased fire behavior potential. Prescribed burning as a supplemental method of dwarf mistletoe control has been little used, but seems to be applicable in some forest types and stand conditions both to eliminate infected residuals in cutover areas and to eliminate heavily infested unmerchantable stands. Suggested areas of research relating to fire ecology and prescribed burning are given.

Contents: generalized life cycle; sexual reproductive biology; mechanism and trends of evolution; biogeography and paleogeographic history; host relationships; ecological relationships; biotic associates; host-parasite physiology; anatomy of the dwarf mistletoe shoot system; endophytic system; pathogenic effects; control; systematics: philosophy, problems, and criteria for classification; molecular systematics; formal taxonomy. Extensive bibliography. Scientific and common names; collecting and curating techniques; herbaria consulted; specimens examined; glossary; subject and species indexes.

The proceedings is a collection of papers and posters presented at the Symposium on Effects of Fire Management of Southwestern Natural Resources held in Tucson, Arizona, November 15-17, 1988. Included are papers, poster papers and a comprehensive list of references on the effects of fire on: plant succession, cultural resources, hydrology, range and wildlife resources, soils, recreation, smoke management, and monitoring techniques pertinent to prescribed fire management in the southwestern United States.