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Full-Text Articles in Plant Sciences
Developing A Model Framework For Predicting Effects Of Woody Expansion And Fire On Ecosystem Carbon And Nitrogen In A Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Benjamin M. Rau, Robin J. Tausch, Alicia Reiner, Dale W. Johnson, Jeanne C. Chambers, Robert R. Blank
Developing A Model Framework For Predicting Effects Of Woody Expansion And Fire On Ecosystem Carbon And Nitrogen In A Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Benjamin M. Rau, Robin J. Tausch, Alicia Reiner, Dale W. Johnson, Jeanne C. Chambers, Robert R. Blank
Articles
Sagebrush-steppe ecosystems are one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America due to woodland expansion, wildfire, and exotic annual grass invasion. Some scientists and policy makers have suggested that woodland expansion will lead to increased carbon (C) storage on the landscape. To assess this potential we used data collected from a Joint Fire Sciences Program demonstration area to develop a Microsoft Excel™ based biomass, carbon, and nitrogen (N) spreadsheet model. The model uses input for tree cover, soil chemistry, soil physical properties, and vegetation chemistry to estimate biomass, carbon, and nitrogen accumulation on the landscape with woodland expansion. The …
Influence Of Prescribed Fire On Ecosystem Biomass, Carbon, And Nitrogen In A Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Benjamin M. Rau, Robin Tausch, Alicia Reiner, Dale W. Johnson, Jeanne C. Chambers, Robert R. Blank, Annmarrie Lucchesi
Influence Of Prescribed Fire On Ecosystem Biomass, Carbon, And Nitrogen In A Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Benjamin M. Rau, Robin Tausch, Alicia Reiner, Dale W. Johnson, Jeanne C. Chambers, Robert R. Blank, Annmarrie Lucchesi
Articles
Increases in pinyon and juniper woodland cover associated with land-use history are suggested to provide offsets for carbon emissions in arid regions. However, the largest pools of carbon in arid landscapes are typically found in soils, and aboveground biomass cannot be considered long-term storage in fire-prone ecosystems. Also, the objectives of carbon storage may conflict with management for other ecosystem services and fuels reduction. Before appropriate decisions can be made it is necessary to understand the interactions between woodland expansion, management treatments, and carbon retention. We quantified effects of prescribed fire as a fuels reduction and ecosystem maintenance treatment on …