Post on 25-Feb-2016
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Fire in Restoration Ecology
Fire in Restoration EcologyChristie Sampson
Fire is an essential disturbanceIn the context of restoration ecologyRestoring fire to a fire-dependent ecosystemCan be a tool in a new areaFire regime = spatial and temporal variations of fires and their effects in a given area over a given time period
Fire in ecosystems
US Fire Adapted EcosystemsTallgrass Prairie: Midwest
Chaparral: California and Southwest
Ponderosa Pine: Interior West
Douglas-Fir: Pacific Northwest
Loblolly and Shortleaf Pine: The Southeast
Jack Pine: Great Lake States
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/okawen/fire/naches/index.shtmlFire in ecosystemsFire contributes to the :
Recycling of nutrients
Regulation of plant succession and wildlife habitat
Controlling insect populations and diseases
Maintenance biological diversity
Reduction of biomass
Natural Burning Regime
(nature.org)Changes in North American FiresIncreases in human-related fire ignitions forest roads, widespread logging, recreational use and development
Reduction in biomass of fine fuels livestock grazing and increased tree invasion
Increases in fuel accumulation dense tree plantations and a buildup of shade-tolerant conifers Changes in North American FiresModifications/habitat fragmentation agriculture, urban development, and other firebreaks
Active fire suppression changed the types of forests found in the USfewer forest that need frequent, low intensity fire
Loss of forests with fire-resilient properties community and landscape levels removal of large trees and legacy stand components
Environmental EffectsEnvironmental Effects -SoilReturn nutrients to soil
FactorsFrequency, duration, and intensity soil characteristics
ConsequencesLoss of duff layerSurface runoff and soil erosion
http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ut/moab_fo/fire.Par.57697.Image.-1.-1.1.gifEnvironmental Effects -WaterConsequences
Erosion
Nutrient Loading
Environmental Effects -PlantsFire adapted smoke-activated seeds or fire-activated budsSouthern pine bark thicker than many hardwoods, needles will survive exposure to 1300F for about 5 minuteschaparral - plants have oil covered leaves that allows their fire-activated seeds to germinate. The offspring can then flourish can then capitalize on the lack of competition in a burnt landscape.
Grasses regenerate quickly, outcompeting trees and shrubshttp://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/Fire Impacts on Succession
Environmental Effects -WildlifePrimarily indirect
Regenerate food sources
Creation of habitatSnags
Loss of habitatDead and down woodTemporary loss of grasslands/understory
Restoration ChallengesWhat was the temporal variability of the fire regime over multi-century reference periods? History is needed to identify temporal trends that may be related to climatic variation prior to and during intensive European settlement
How was the fire regime influenced by Native Americans? How much influence did they have on the ecosystem?
How did native and introduced herbivores affect fuels and fire regimes?Fires declined with reduced grass fuels due to the introduction of sheep and cattleFluctuations in native herbivore populations (Veblen 2003)Restoration ChallengesWhat was the spatial variability of the fire regime within a particular ecosystem type? climatic seasonalitytopographyweather patternsunderstory species/characteristicssite productivity (related to geology, soils, and/or climate)use by Native Americans
How have invasive plant species altered fire regimes?Exotic plant species can change fuel continuity- spread and intensity may be significantly altered
(Veblen 2003)Invasive SpeciesNonnative plant abundance was over 200% higher on fuel breaks than in adjacent areas
Invasive Species Reduced exotic plant seed production (seed bank)Increased native seedling establishment through litter removal and decreased competition
http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/biohires/ecoregions/h50805burn20011103crv185.jpg
(Veblen 2003)Overcoming public dissentFire = dangerous force to be suppressed and contained at all costs
http://www.dosomething.org/files/pictures/fire-road.jpgOvercoming public dissentWalt Disneys BambiU.S. Forest Services Smokey Bear
http://harebrainedcreative.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/smokey_the_bear.jpg?w=453&h=660http://inel.wordpress.com/2007/10/24/bambi-had-wildfires-but-not-as-bad-as-this/
Overcoming public dissentDiscuss environmental, social and economic benefits and consequences for the community
www.nature.org
Additional Referenceswww.bugwood.org/pfire/http://isebindia.com/95_99/98-04-1.htmlhttp://www.wildlandfire.com/pics/wall/wall.htmhttp://fireecology.org/education/doc1.htm
Brown, James K.; Smith, Jane Kapler (2000). "Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora". Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2 40,56-68. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. DellaSala, D. A., J. E. Williams, C.D. Williams and J. F. Franklin. 2004. Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: a Synthesis of Fire Policy and Science. Conservation Biology, 18:976986Menke, J. W. 1992. GRAZING AND FIRE MANAGEMENT FOR NATIVE PERENNIAL GRASS RESTORATION IN CALIFORNIA GRASSLANDS . Journal of the California Native Plant Society 20:22-25Merriam, Kyle E., Jon E. Keeley, and Jan L. Beyers. 2006. Fuel Breaks Affect Nonnative Species Abundance In Californian Plant Communities. Ecological Applications 16:515527Romme, W.H. 1980. Fire history terminology: report of the Ad Hoc Committee. Pages 135-37 in M.A. Stokes and J.H. Dieterich, editors. Proceedings of the fire history workshop, Oct. 20-24, 1980. Tucson, Arizona. U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, General Technical Report Veblen, T.T. 2003. Key issues in fire regime research for fuels management and ecological restoration. Pages 259-276 in: P. Omi and L. Joyce (technical eds). Fire, Fuel Treatments and Ecological Restoration: Conference proceedings; 2002 16-18 April; Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 475 p.