Western Pine Forests with Continuing Frequent Fire Regimes: Possible Reference Sites for Management
Authors: Stephens, Scott L.1; Fulé, Peter Z.2
Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 103, Number 7, October/November 2005 , pp. 357-362(6)
Abstract:
In contrast to a few isolated forests in northern Mexico, most forests in the western Untied States have been significantly modified by fire suppression, harvesting, and livestock grazing. This has increased their fire hazards and many are in need of restoration. Understanding reference conditions is challenging because we have few intact forests functioning under the continuing influence of climate variation, insects, diseases, and frequent fires. This article summarizes information from reference sites and argues for incorporating natural heterogeneity in restoration targets across similar forests in the United States.Keywords: forest restoration; desired conditions; wildfire; Jeffrey pine; ponderosa pine; Mexico; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management
Document Type: Regular article
Affiliations: 1: Assistant Professor of Fire Science Division of Ecosystem Science, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California Berkeley CA 94720-3110, Email: stephens@nature.berkeley.edu 2: Associate Professor and Associate Director School of Forestry, Ecological Restoration Institute Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ 86011, Email: Pete.Fule@nau.edu
