A Need And A Concern: Reducing Fuels In The Riparian Areas Of Southwestern Oregon,
2010
US Forest Service
A Need And A Concern: Reducing Fuels In The Riparian Areas Of Southwestern Oregon, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Sophisticated in composition but small in scale, a riparian area is a fertile ecosystem of various plant and animal species that occurs along watercourses or water bodies. In the Applegate River sub-basin of southwestern Oregon, there is little understanding on how prescribed fi re may affect these areas. According to several studies, fire was historically an important component in some western riparian areas of both intermittent and perennial streams, burning at the same frequency and intensity as the associated upland areas. Due to a lack of supportive documentation and locally-pertinent data and the perception that the complex ecosystems may be …
Reptiles And Amphibians In An Upland Longleaf Pine Forest,
2010
US Forest Service
Reptiles And Amphibians In An Upland Longleaf Pine Forest, Elise Lequire
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Longleaf pine forests are prime real estate for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker, which nests in cavities in older trees. While researchers and state and federal agencies carefully monitor and encourage the survival of this endangered species, beneath the canopy, a rich diversity of less mobile species abounds. Much attention has been focused on the use of prescribed fire to improve longleaf pine habitat for its own sake, and for the woodpecker. Very little is known about the effects of fi re on the herpetofauna. In the Oakmulgee Ranger District of the Talladega National Forest in Alabama, scientists have measured the …
Going Underground: Studying Fuel Treatment Effects On The Mycorrhizal Community Of Northern California,
2010
US Forest Service
Going Underground: Studying Fuel Treatment Effects On The Mycorrhizal Community Of Northern California, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
On the southeastern edge of the Klamath Mountains in northern California, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area’s low elevation plant communities are characterized by an assortment of oaks and conifers with an understory of dense chaparral. Mechanical mastication of shrubs and small trees has become a popular method of fuels management. Although mastication expands the list of options for fire managers, the ecological impacts and long-term effects are virtually unknown. In particular, mechanical mastication essentially rearranges fuels and leaves behind a dense layer of slash on the ground. Burning this debris can potentially heat the soil and adversely affect the roots of …
Forecast For The Great Basin,
2010
US Forest Service
Forecast For The Great Basin, Elise Lequire
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Across the Great Basin, human activity since the 19th century has altered fire regimes, land-cover patterns, and the distribution of animals and plants in ways that may be irreversible. Expansion of native pinyon and juniper trees and non-native cheatgrass into areas dominated by sagebrush is hypothesized to be increasing the frequency, extent, and severity of wildfi re. Land uses such as grazing by domestic livestock and diversion of water for irrigation have greatly reduced the extent of riparian vegetation that supports many species of birds, butterfl ies, and other animals. For more than 20 years, changes in land cover have …
Managing For Fish And Fire: A Balancing Act In The Gila National Forest,
2010
US Forest Service
Managing For Fish And Fire: A Balancing Act In The Gila National Forest, Elise Lequire
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
The Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico harbors two imperiled aquatic species in its mid-to-high elevation streams, the Gila chub and the Gila trout. Modern and historical land use pressures, and the introduction of non-native fishes, have reduced the range of the Gila trout to a handful of headwater streams. The remaining populations are highly fragmented. The Gila National Forest was an early pioneer in the use of naturally ignited wildfire to achieve resource benefi ts. Fish populations can be harmed by fire in some cases, however, even when they have evolved with fire. This occurs when populations dwindle …
Seeing Through The Haze: A Tool For Apportioning Emission Sources For Use In Smoke Management Programs,
2010
US Forest Sercive
Seeing Through The Haze: A Tool For Apportioning Emission Sources For Use In Smoke Management Programs, Christina Frame
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Evidence shows that smoke from fires (wildfi re, controlled burning, and agricultural burning) is contributing signifi cantly to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and haze in many urban and rural areas, affecting health, visibility, and ecosystems. In addition to the primary particulate matter directly emitted by fires, gaseous organic compounds are emitted that transform into “secondary” particulate matter downwind from fires, which contributes notably to PM2.5 and haze. States and tribes are required to implement programs to reduce emissions to meet the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) National Ambient Air Quality Standards and Regional Haze Rule, and central to …
Who Made That Smoke?,
2010
US Forest Service
Who Made That Smoke?, Jake Delwiche
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Management of smoke from prescribed fire activities is important. Consideration must be given to short-term effects of smoke on work crews and neighboring communities. This requires accurate real-time information for smoke forecasting. Tools have been created to help meet these needs of smoke managers for prescribed burns. However, longer-term smoke effects are also important. Managers must meet state and federal regulations for air emissions, and must be aware of projects causing potential violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and reduction in visibility. Both wildfires and prescribed burns can contribute significantly to fine particulate matter (PM) and ozone in …
Getting Public Involvement In Wildfire Hazard Mitigation,
2010
US Forest Service
Getting Public Involvement In Wildfire Hazard Mitigation, Jake Delwiche
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
In many areas of the U.S. where wildfires are a recognized hazard, public agencies have taken steps to involve the public in reduction of the risks. Programs have ranged from purely voluntary public education to building codes for new buildings and ordinances for vegetation control. Some local governments provide free or subsidized services to reduce fire risks. Recently enacted federal and state policies encourage local government to become more active in managing wildfire hazards. Interest in creating local public programs to achieve hazard reduction has sparked research into which steps will have the most success in achieving hazard mitigation. Recent …
Getting In The Game: Out On The Landscape Without Leaving Your Desk With Gnnviz,
2010
US Forest Service
Getting In The Game: Out On The Landscape Without Leaving Your Desk With Gnnviz, Marjie Brown
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
This project used computer game technology to create highly interactive forest data visualization and interaction not possible with the traditional geographic information system approach. Known as GNNViz (Gradient Nearest Neighbor Vegetation Map Visualization), the program was developed by applying it to three large regions in the western U.S., though it’s readily extended to additional landscapes and spatial data formats. Developers leveraged the superior capabilities of video game technology to render realistic 3D environments and allow multiple users to interact with each other in a shared environment. Real time rendering allows users to move about and explore huge areas of terrain …
Tapping Into Technology And Information Resources To Assess Erosion Risk,
2010
US Forest Service
Tapping Into Technology And Information Resources To Assess Erosion Risk, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Just over 50 years ago, predicting soil erosion was a time-consuming manual process. These methods have evolved over time and now include models such as the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP), which helps simulate the important physical processes that result in soil erosion by water. It was the goal of this study to build on the WEPP model to create a multi-scale software tool that could provide fire and fuel managers with access to the geographic data and detailed images they needed to predict soil erosion after wildfire and fuel-reduction treatments. The new tool, known as the Geo-spatial interface for …
Expanding Use Of The Fire Effects Planning Framework,
2010
US Forest Service
Expanding Use Of The Fire Effects Planning Framework, Marjie Brown
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
This project sought to discover the best ways to encourage broader use of the fire planning and management tool—Fire Effects Planning Framework (FEPF). FEPF calculates and captures the ecological effects of fire, including the benefits. Along the way FEPF developers learned that varying perspectives, skill sets, responsibilities and workloads of targeted users require differing approaches in order for tech transfer to be effective. Additionally, a lack of incentives to measure and account for fire’s benefits was causing managers to prioritize information and tools that capture fire’s costs, particularly to private property. Face-to-face presentations proved to be the most effective way …
Modifying Fofem To Predict Mortality Of The Longleaf Pine Species,
2010
US Forest Service
Modifying Fofem To Predict Mortality Of The Longleaf Pine Species, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Once the dominant overstory tree across much of the Southeastern United States, the longleaf pine species declined until it faced a high risk of extinction. But due to recent interest in longleaf pine, there is a new focus on managing and restoring the species. Historically, fire has been an important component in maintaining the longleaf pine ecosystem. To help recreate the pre-settlement conditions in which longleaf flourished, prescribed burning is being used. There is concern, however, that by using fire as a management tool, some trees could be lost due to fire-induced mortality. Therefore, a balance must be reached between …
Introducing Fuelcalc: A New Tool That Helps Turn Static Inventory Data Into Actionable Information,
2010
US Forest Service
Introducing Fuelcalc: A New Tool That Helps Turn Static Inventory Data Into Actionable Information, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Fuel and fire managers perform fuel treatments to manage and restore ecosystems and protect resources. In order to plan effective fuel treatments that accomplish objectives, managers need to analyze fuel conditions and document the expected fire behavior and fi re effects both before and after fuel treatment. To help accomplish these goals, a new software tool named FuelCalc was created. FuelCalc facilitates use of a wide range of inventory data and fuel characteristics to help calculate fuel quantities and qualities to estimate potential fire behavior, fire effects, and smoke production. By linking with a number of existing software systems and …
After The Fire: Assessing Post-Treatment Effects On Fine Fuels In The Sierra Nevada,
2010
US Forest Service
After The Fire: Assessing Post-Treatment Effects On Fine Fuels In The Sierra Nevada, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
In the mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada, it appears that fire dynamics have changed from predominantly low and moderate intensity surface fires to a greater proportion of larger, stand-replacing fires. To help reduce fuels and speed the restoration process, the Forest Service harvests dead trees and uses herbicides to control early stages of shrubs. But there are concerns about these post-burn restoration treatments and their infl uence on emerging fine fuels. Some of these treatments have been linked to an increase in annual grass invasions, specifi cally non-native grasses, which have the potential to significantly alter fuel characteristics, …
Changes In Public Responses To Wildland Fuel Management Over Time,
2010
US Forest Service
Changes In Public Responses To Wildland Fuel Management Over Time, Joy Drohan
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
This study compared citizen responses to surveys in 2002 and 2008 about fuels reduction programs by federal land management agencies. The researchers attempted to identify factors that influence public opinion and promote citizen support for agency actions. The study design allowed comparisons over time among individuals and in seven locations in the Midwest and western U.S. The researchers found key commonalities and differences in responses among sites. They identified important fire-related activities (e.g., signifi cant fires, fuel treatments, formation of citizen groups, community wildfi re protection planning) at each location in the years between the two surveys to understand what …
A New Online Tool And Estimates For Hand-Pile Biomass And Smoke Production,
2010
US Forest Service
A New Online Tool And Estimates For Hand-Pile Biomass And Smoke Production, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
To help reduce the chance for high-severity fires in the western United States, thinning of the forest understory, midstory and overstory has become a necessity. In some cases, the resulting surface fuels are piled by hand and burned. As this two-part treatment method becomes more widely-used, fire managers need the ability to calculate the biomass of hand-piled fuels so they can better estimate the potential emissions and smoke impacts from their disposal by burning. Since machine-constructed piles were sampled in a previous study, researchers were able to use this past research as a point of departure to develop methods to …
Timber Talk, Vol. 48, No. 4, November 1, 2010,
2010
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Timber Talk, Vol. 48, No. 4, November 1, 2010
Timber Talk: Nebraska Forest Industry Newsletter
Lumber Market News; Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Green; Hardwood Lumber Price Trends—Kiln Dried; The Independent Contractor Definition Dilmenna Continues; Is There Still Room for Circle Saws in the Sawmill?; Nebraska Forestry Industry Spotlight; The Trading Post; Using a Kiln Schedule; Timber Sales
Development And Characterization Of 16 Microsatellite Markers For The Louisiana Pine Snake, Pituophis Ruthveni, And Two Congeners Of Conservation Concern,
2010
Department of Biology, Stephen F Austin State University
Development And Characterization Of 16 Microsatellite Markers For The Louisiana Pine Snake, Pituophis Ruthveni, And Two Congeners Of Conservation Concern, Matthew Kwiatkowski, Christopher M. Somers, Ray G. Poulin, D. Craig Rudolph, Jessica Martino, Tracey D. Tuberville, Cris Hagen, Stacey L. Lance
Faculty Publications
We isolated and characterized 16 microsatellite loci from the Louisiana pine snake, Pituophis ruthveni. Loci were screened in 24 individuals from locations throughout its distribution in Louisiana and Texas. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 12, observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 to 0.875, and the probability of identity ranged from 0.043 to 0.298. We examined cross-species amplification at these loci in P. catenifer (bullsnakes and gopher snakes) and P. melanoleucus (pine snakes). These new markers provide tools for examining the conservation genetics of this species complex. Louisiana pine snakes face numerous threats: population densities are extremely …
Summer Heat And An Epidemic Of Cytospora Canker Of Alnus,
2010
USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region
Summer Heat And An Epidemic Of Cytospora Canker Of Alnus, James J. Worrall, Gerard C. Adams, Sarah C. Tharp
Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications
An epidemic of cytospora canker [Valsa melanodiscus, anamorph Cytospora umbrina] is associated with dieback and mortality of Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia in the Southern Rocky Mountains and had begun by the late 1980s. Isolations showed that inoculum was often abundant on bark and bud surfaces even in winter, especially near diseased stems. The pathogen was occasionally isolated from internal tissues of dormant buds and asymptomatic wood and phloem. In infected stems, the pathogen was detected up to 5 cm beyond visible canker margins. The data suggest that the pathogen can cause latent infections, but the infection court …
Understory Vegetative Diversity Of Post-Thinned Pine Plantations Treated With Fertilizer, Fire And Herbicide In East Texas,
2010
Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962
Understory Vegetative Diversity Of Post-Thinned Pine Plantations Treated With Fertilizer, Fire And Herbicide In East Texas, Brian P. Oswald, Dean W. Coble, R R. Botting, Ken W. Farrish, James E. Van Kley
Faculty Publications
This study assessed biodiversity in the understory of two pine plantations where different management tools (fertilizer, prescribed burning, and herbicide application) were utilized. During three growing seasons, species, percent cover, and number of individuals, and physical characteristics were recorded. Responses to treatment were examined based on comparison of species richness, evenness, diversity, and importance. Two years after treatment, fertilized plots showed a decline in species richness, evenness, and diversity. Prescribed burning and herbicide treatments increased species richness but decreased species evenness, resulting in no change in diversity index. Herbicide treatment reduced the importance of dominant shrubs and increased the importance …
