Does the Lack of Reference Ecosystems Limit Our Science? A Case Study in Nonnnative Invasive Plants as Forest Fuels
Authors: Dibble, Alison C.1; Rees, Catherine A.2
Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 103, Number 7, October/November 2005 , pp. 329-338(10)
Abstract:
In forest experiments the problem of inadequate controls often arises. True controls might not be required in case studies, comparisons along an environmental gradient, or comparisons of multiple treated and untreated areas. In a recent characterization of fuels in invaded and uninvaded forest conditions for four forest types at 12 locations in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and Virginia, high-quality reference stands usually were not available as true controls. We called the uninvaded areas “comparison areas,” and applied a modified planar sampling technique to quantify live and dead fuels. No overarching pattern emerged; fuels in fire-adapted pitch pine differed from the three other forest types in that stands invaded by black locust had fewer 1- and 10-hour fuels, but more forbs cover and higher basal area. Invasive shrubs increased fuel height and density across most forest types. Invasive grasses in forests present an underrecognized hazard fuel if drought ensues. The comparison stand study design enabled uncovering of significant differences between invaded and uninvaded stands, especially in hardwoods and mixed woods, and fuels in softwoods were less affected by invasive plants.Keywords: control; reference conditions; wildland urban interface; fire; fuels; invasive plants; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management
Document Type: Regular article
Affiliations: 1: Cooperating Research Ecologist and Past Chair The C1 Working Group 686 Government Road Bradley ME 04411, Email: adibble@fs.fed.us 2: Ecologist US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station 686 Government Road Bradley ME 04411, Email: crees@fs.fed.us
