Wildland Fire in Ecosystems: Effects of Fire on Flora

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Wildland Fire in Ecosystems: Effects of Fire on Flora United States Department of Agriculture Wildland Fire in Forest Service Rocky Mountain Ecosystems Research Station General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-42- volume 2 Effects of Fire on Flora December 2000 Abstract _____________________________________ Brown, James K.; Smith, Jane Kapler, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 257 p. This state-of-knowledge review about the effects of fire on flora and fuels can assist land managers with ecosystem and fire management planning and in their efforts to inform others about the ecological role of fire. Chapter topics include fire regime classification, autecological effects of fire, fire regime characteristics and postfire plant community developments in ecosystems throughout the United States and Canada, global climate change, ecological principles of fire regimes, and practical considerations for managing fire in an ecosytem context. Keywords: ecosystem, fire effects, fire management, fire regime, fire severity, fuels, habitat, plant response, plants, succession, vegetation The volumes in “The Rainbow Series” will be published from 2000 through 2001. To order, check the box or boxes below, fill in the address form, and send to the mailing address listed below. Or send your order and your address in mailing label form to one of the other listed media. Your order(s) will be filled as the volumes are published. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 1. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on fauna. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 3. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on cultural resources and archeology. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 4. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on soil and water. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 5. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on air. Send to: ________________________________________________________________________________ Name ________________________________________________________________________________ Address Fort Collins Service Center Telephone (970) 498-1392 FAX (970) 498-1396 E-mail rschneider/[email protected] Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/rm Mailing Address Publications Distribution Rocky Mountain Research Station 240 W. Prospect Road Fort Collins, CO 80526-2098 Wildland Fire in Ecosystems Effects of Fire on Flora Editors James K. Brown, Research Forester, Systems for Environmen- tal Management, Missoula, MT 59802 (formerly with Fire Sci- ences Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. De- partment of Agriculture, Forest Service). Jane Kapler Smith, Ecologist, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula, MT 59807. Authors R. James Ansley, Plant Physiologist, Texas A&M University Brad C. Hawkes, Fire Research Officer, Canadian Forestry System, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Vernon, TX Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, BC V8Z 1M5 76385 Greg A. Hoch, Graduate Research Assistant, Division of Stephen F. Arno, Research Forester (Emeritus), Fire Sci- Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 ences Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Melanie Miller, Fire Ecologist, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula, MT 59807 National Office of Fire and Aviation, Boise, ID 83705 Brent L. Brock, Research Associate, Division of Biology, Ronald L. Myers, Director of National Fire Management Pro- Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 gram, The Nature Conservancy, Tall Timbers Research Sta- Patrick H. Brose, Research Forester, Northeastern Research tion, Tallahassee, FL 32312 Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Irvine, Marcia G. Narog, Ecologist, Riverside Forest Fire Laboratory, PA 16329 Pacific Southwest Research Station, U.S. Department of Agri- James K. Brown, Research Forester, Systems for Environ- culture, Forest Service, Riverside, CA 92507 mental Management, Missoula, MT 59802 (formerly with Fire William A. Patterson III, Professor, Department of Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. and Wildlife Management, University of Massachusetts, Department of Agriculture, Forest Service) Amherst, MA 01003 Luc C. Duchesne, Research Scientist, Canadian Forestry Timothy E. Paysen, Research Forester, Riverside Forest Fire Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A Laboratory, Pacific Southwest Research Station, U.S. Depart- 5M7 ment of Agriculture, Forest Service, Riverside, CA 92507 James B. Grace, Research Ecologist, National Wetlands Kevin C. Ryan, Project Leader of Fire Effects Unit, Fire Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Lafayette, LA 70506 Sciences Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Gerald J. Gottfried, Research Forester, Southwest Forest Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula, MT 59807 Sciences Complex, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Stephen S. Sackett, Research Forester (Emeritus), Riverside Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Forest Fire Laboratory, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Sally M. Haase, Research Forester, Riverside Forest Fire U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Riverside, CA Laboratory, Pacific Southwest Research Station, U.S. Depart- 92507 ment of Agriculture, Forest Service, Riverside, CA 92507 Dale D. Wade, Research Forester, Forestry Sciences Labora- Michael G. Harrington, Research Forester, Fire Sciences tory, Southern Research Station, U.S. Department of Agricul- Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Depart- ture, Forest Service, Athens, GA 30602 ment of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula, MT 59807 Ruth C. Wilson, Professor of Biology, California State Univer- sity, San Bernardino, CA 92407 Cover photo—Arnica and fireweed flowers, Bob Marshall Wilderness, MT, 2 years after crown fire. Photo by Melanie Miller. Preface _____________________________________ In 1978, a national workshop on fire effects in Denver, Colorado, provided the impetus for the “Effects of Wildland Fire on Ecosystems” series. Recognizing that knowledge of fire was needed for land management planning, state-of-the-knowledge reviews were produced that became known as the “Rainbow Series.” The series consisted of six publications, each with a different colored cover, describing the effects of fire on soil, water, air, flora, fauna, and fuels. The Rainbow Series proved popular in providing fire effects information for professionals, students, and others. Printed supplies eventually ran out, but knowledge of fire effects continued to grow. To meet the continuing demand for summaries of fire effects knowledge, the interagency National Wildfire Coordinating Group asked Forest Service research leaders to update and revise the series. To fulfill this request, a meeting for organizing the revision was held January 4-6, 1993, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The series name was then changed to “The Rainbow Series.” The five-volume series covers air, soil and water, fauna, flora and fuels, and cultural resources. The Rainbow Series emphasizes principles and processes rather than serving as a summary of all that is known. The five volumes, taken together, provide a wealth of information and examples to advance understanding of basic concepts regarding fire effects in the United States and Canada. As conceptual background, they provide technical support to fire and resource managers for carrying out interdisciplinary planning, which is essential to managing wildlands in an ecosystem context. Planners and managers will find the series helpful in many aspects of ecosystem-based management, but they will also need to seek out and synthesize more detailed information to resolve specific management questions. –– The Authors October 2000 Acknowledgments____________________________ The Rainbow Series was completed under the sponsorship of the Joint Fire Sciences Program, a cooperative fire science effort of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Geological Survey. We thank Marcia Patton-Mallory and Louise Kingsbury for persistence and support. The authors wish to thank the following individuals for their suggestions, information, and assistance that led to substantial technical and editorial improvements in the manuscript: Stephen Arno, Andrew Applejohn, David Bunnell, Tammy Charron, Lisa Clark, Scott Collins, Bonni Corcoran, Luc Duchesne, Colin Hardy, Mick Harrington, Janet Howard, Bill Leenhouts, Jim Menakis, Melanie Miller, Penelope Morgan, Rob McAlpine, Carmen Mueller-Rowat, Ron Myers, Phil Omi, Pat Outcalt, Tim Paysen, Kevin Ryan, Dennis Simmerman, Jim Snyder, Peter Stickney, Ann Murray Strome, Fred Swanson, David VanLear, Dale Wade, Phil Weatherspoon, Mike Weber, and John Zasada. ii Contents________________________________________________ Page Page Summary ........................................................................... vi Chapter 4: Fire in Eastern Ecosystems ........................ 53 by Dale D. Wade, Brent L. Brock, Patrick H. Brose, Chapter 1: Introduction and Fire Regimes ..................... 1 James B. Grace, Greg A. Hoch, and William A. by James K. Brown Patterson III Flora and Fuel Volume ........................................................ 2 Understory Fire Regimes .................................................
Recommended publications
  • Plant Guide for Fourwing Saltbush (Atriplex Canescens)
    Plant Guide saline-sodic soils (Ogle and St. John, 2008). It has FOURWING SALTBUSH excellent drought tolerance and has been planted in highway medians and on road shoulders, slopes, and other Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. disturbed areas near roadways. Because it is a good Plant Symbol = ATCA2 wildlife browse species, caution is recommended in using fourwing saltbush in plantings along roadways. Its Contributed by: USDA NRCS Idaho Plant Materials extensive root system provides excellent erosion control. Program Reclamation: fourwing saltbush is used extensively for reclamation of disturbed sites (mine lands, drill pads, exploration holes, etc,). It provides excellent species diversity for mine land reclamation projects. Status Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values). Description Fourwing saltbush is a polymorphic species varying from deciduous to evergreen, depending on climate. Its much- branched stems are stout with whitish bark. Mature plants range from 0.3 to 2.4 m (1 to 8 ft) in height, depending on ecotype and the soil and climate. Its leaves are simple, alternate, entire, linear-spatulate to narrowly oblong, Fourwing saltbush. Photo by Steven Perkins @ USDA-NRCS canescent (covered with fine whitish hairs) and ½ to 2 PLANTS Database inches long. Its root system is branched and commonly very deep reaching depths of up to 6 m (20 ft) when soil Alternate Names depth allows (Kearney et al., 1960). Common Alternate Names: Fourwing saltbush is mostly dioecious, with male and Chamise, chamize, chamiso, white greasewood, saltsage, female flowers on separate plants (Welsh et al., 2003); fourwing shadscale, bushy atriplex however, some monoecious plants may be found within a population.
    [Show full text]
  • FIRE DEPARTMENT COUNTY Adair County Tri Community Volunteer Fire Dept
    FIRE DEPARTMENT COUNTY Adair County Tri Community Volunteer Fire Dept. Adair Bell Rural Fire Department Inc Adair Chance Community Fire Department Inc. Adair Christie Proctor Fire Association Adair Greasy Volunteer Fire Department Inc. Adair Hwy 100 West Fire Protection Adair Hwy 51 West Rural Fire District, Inc. Adair Mid County Rural Fire Dept. Inc. Adair Town of Stilwell for Stilwell Fire Department Adair Town of Watts for Watts Fire Department Adair Town of Westville for Westville Fire Department Adair City of Cherokee for Cherokee Fire Department Alfalfa Nescatunga Rural Fire Association Alfalfa Town of Aline for Aline Fire Department Alfalfa Town of Burlington for Burlington Fire Department Alfalfa Town of Byron for A&B Fire Department Alfalfa Town of Carmen for Carmen Fire Department Alfalfa Town of Goltry for Goltry Fire Department Alfalfa Town of Helena for Helena Fire Department Alfalfa Town of Jet for Jet Fire Department Alfalfa Bentley Volunteer Fire District Atoka City of Atoka for Atoka Fire Department Atoka Crystal Volunteer Fire Department Association Atoka Daisy Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Atoka Farris Fire District Atoka Harmony Fire Department Atoka Hopewell Community Firefighters Association Atoka Lane Volunteer Fire Department Association Atoka Town of Caney for Caney Fire Department Atoka Town of Stringtown for Stringtown Fire Department Atoka Town of Tushka for Tushka Fire Department Atoka Wards Chapel Fire Department, Inc. Atoka Wardville Rural Volunteer Fire Dept. Atoka Wilson Community Rural Fire Association
    [Show full text]
  • Pyrogeography: the Where, When, and Why of Fire on Earth Philip Higuera, Assistant Professor, CNR, University of Idaho REM 244 Guest Lecture, 2 Feb., 2012
    Pyrogeography: the where, when, and why of fire on Earth Philip Higuera, Assistant Professor, CNR, University of Idaho REM 244 Guest Lecture, 2 Feb., 2012 Bowman et al. 2009. Outline for Today’s Class 1. What is pyrogeography? 2. What can you infer from the pattern of fire? 3. Application – How will fire change with climate? What is biogeography? The study of life across space and through time: what do we see, where, and why? The view from Crater Peak, in Washington’s North Cascades 3 Solifluction lobes in Alaska’s Brooks Range Fire boundary in Montana’s Bitter Root Mountains What is pyrogeography? The study of fire across space and through time: what do we see, where, and why? The view from Crater Peak, in Washington’s North Cascades 4 Solifluction lobes in Alaska’s Brooks Range Fire boundary in Montana’s Bitter Root Mountains Fact: Energy released during a fire comes from stored energy in chemical bonds Implication: Fire at all scales is regulated by rates of plant growth University of Idaho Experimental Forest, 2009 What else does fire need to exist? 2006 wildfire, Yukon Flats NWR, Alaska Pyrogeographic framework: “fire” as an organism At multiple scales, the presence of fire depends upon the coincidence of: (1) Consumable resources (2) Atmospheric conditions (3) Ignitions Outline for Today’s Class 1. What is pyrogeography? 2. What can you infer from the pattern of fire? 3. Application – How will fire change with climate? Global patterns of fire – what can we infer? Fires per year (Bowman et al. 2009) . 80-86% of global area burned: grassland and savannas, primarily in Africa, Australia, and South Asia and South America Krawchuk et al., 2009, PLoS ONE: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0005102 Global patterns of fire – what can we infer? Net primary productivity (Bowman et al.
    [Show full text]
  • GOOSEBERRYLEAF GLOBEMALLOW Sphaeralcea Grossulariifolia (Hook
    GOOSEBERRYLEAF GLOBEMALLOW Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Rydb. Malvaceae – Mallow family Corey L. Gucker & Nancy L. Shaw | 2018 ORGANIZATION NOMENCLATURE Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Names, subtaxa, chromosome number(s), hybridization. Rydb., hereafter referred to as gooseberryleaf globemallow, belongs to the Malveae tribe of the Malvaceae or mallow family (Kearney 1935; La Duke 2016). Range, habitat, plant associations, elevation, soils. NRCS Plant Code. SPGR2 (USDA NRCS 2017). Subtaxa. The Flora of North America (La Duke 2016) does not recognize any varieties or Life form, morphology, distinguishing characteristics, reproduction. subspecies. Synonyms. Malvastrum coccineum (Nuttall) A. Gray var. grossulariifolium (Hooker & Arnott) Growth rate, successional status, disturbance ecology, importance to animals/people. Torrey, M. grossulariifolium (Hooker & Arnott) A. Gray, Sida grossulariifolia Hooker & Arnott, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia subsp. pedata Current or potential uses in restoration. (Torrey ex A. Gray) Kearney, S. grossulariifolia var. pedata (Torrey ex A. Gray) Kearney, S. pedata Torrey ex A. Gray (La Duke 2016). Seed sourcing, wildland seed collection, seed cleaning, storage, Common Names. Gooseberryleaf globemallow, testing and marketing standards. current-leaf globemallow (La Duke 2016). Chromosome Number. Chromosome number is stable, 2n = 20, and plants are diploid (La Duke Recommendations/guidelines for producing seed. 2016). Hybridization. Hybridization occurs within the Sphaeralcea genus.
    [Show full text]
  • Germination and Seedling Establishment of Spiny Hopsage (Grayia Spinosa [Hook.] Moq.)
    AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Nancy L. Shaw for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Crop and Soil Sciences presented on March 19, 1992 Title: Germination and Seedling Establishment of Spiny Hopsage (Grayia Spinosa [Hook.] Moq.) Abstract approved:_Redactedfor Privacy von r. ULdUe Reestablishment of spiny hopsage(Grayia spinosa [Hook.] Moq.) where depleted or lost on shrub steppe sites can improve forage, plant cover, and soil stabilization. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine direct-seeding requirements; 2) develop optimum germination pretreatments; and 3) examine dormancy mechanisms in spiny hopsage fruits and seeds. The effects of seed source, planting date,and site preparation method onseed germination and seedling establishment (SE) were examined at Birds of Prey and Reynolds Creek in southwestern Idaho. Three seed sources were planted on rough or compact seedbeds on 4 dates in 1986-87 and 3 dates in 1987-88. Exposure to cool-moist environments improved spring SE from early fall (EF) and late fall (LF) plantings. Few seedlings emerged from early (ESp) or late spring (LSp) plantings. SE was low at: 1 site in 1986-87 and atboth sites in 1987-88, probably due to lack of precipitation. For the successful 1986-87 planting, seedling density was greater on rough compared to compact seedbeds in April andMay, possiblydue to improved microclimate conditions. Growth rate varied among seed sources, but seedlings developed a deep taproot (mean length 266 mm) with few lateral roots the first season. Seeds were planted on 3 dates in 1986-87 and 1987-88, andnylon bags containing seeds were planted on 4 dates each year to study microenvironment effects on germination (G), germination rate (GR), and SE.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Bacteriology and Bacterial Structure/Function
    INTRODUCTION TO BACTERIOLOGY AND BACTERIAL STRUCTURE/FUNCTION LEARNING OBJECTIVES To describe historical landmarks of medical microbiology To describe Koch’s Postulates To describe the characteristic structures and chemical nature of cellular constituents that distinguish eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells To describe chemical, structural, and functional components of the bacterial cytoplasmic and outer membranes, cell wall and surface appendages To name the general structures, and polymers that make up bacterial cell walls To explain the differences between gram negative and gram positive cells To describe the chemical composition, function and serological classification as H antigen of bacterial flagella and how they differ from flagella of eucaryotic cells To describe the chemical composition and function of pili To explain the unique chemical composition of bacterial spores To list medically relevant bacteria that form spores To explain the function of spores in terms of chemical and heat resistance To describe characteristics of different types of membrane transport To describe the exact cellular location and serological classification as O antigen of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) To explain how the structure of LPS confers antigenic specificity and toxicity To describe the exact cellular location of Lipid A To explain the term endotoxin in terms of its chemical composition and location in bacterial cells INTRODUCTION TO BACTERIOLOGY 1. Two main threads in the history of bacteriology: 1) the natural history of bacteria and 2) the contagious nature of infectious diseases, were united in the latter half of the 19th century. During that period many of the bacteria that cause human disease were identified and characterized. 2. Individual bacteria were first observed microscopically by Antony van Leeuwenhoek at the end of the 17th century.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Notice of the Adoption of County Road Map
    PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ADOPTION OF COUNTY ROAD MAP Pursuant to Article 258.005 of the Texas Transportation Code, the Commissioners Court of Walker County, Texas provides this notice to the public of the adoption of a County Road Map on December 22, 2008, including each road in which the County claims the continued existence of a public interest and right of access and egress for maintenance of an existing County Road. A County Road Map including each road or portions of each road in which the County claims a public interest is available for inspection at the County Clerk’s Office at the Walker County Courthouse. The Commissioners Court conducted numerous hearings prior to the adoption of the County Road Map on December 22, 2008. A list of the roads included in the adoption is included herein; however, the failure to include a road in which the county has previously acquired a public interest by purchase, condemnation, dedication, or a court's final judgment of adverse possession, or any other legal means does not affect the status of the omitted road. A person asserting a private right, title, or interest in a road in which the existence of a public interest is asserted may contest the inclusion of the road in the county road map by filing a suit in a district court in the county in which the road is located not later than January 1, 2018, said date exceeding the second anniversary of the date of this final notice. A.R. KIRK BOB HARDY RANCH RD. CEDAR RIDGE DELAWARE FARRIS CEMETERY RD.
    [Show full text]
  • 7. Shrubland and Young Forest Habitat Management
    7. SHRUBLAND AND YOUNG FOREST HABITAT MANAGEMENT hrublands” and “Young Forest” are terms that apply to areas Shrubland habitat and that are transitioning to mature forest and are dominated by young forest differ in “Sseedlings, saplings, and shrubs with interspersed grasses and forbs (herbaceous plants). While some sites such as wetlands, sandy sites vegetation types and and ledge areas can support a relatively stable shrub cover, most shrub communities in the northeast are successional and change rapidly to food and cover they mature forest if left unmanaged. Shrub and young forest habitats in Vermont provide important habitat provide, as well as functions for a variety of wildlife including shrubland birds, butterflies and bees, black bear, deer, moose, snowshoe hare, bobcat, as well as a where and how they variety of reptiles and amphibians. Many shrubland species are in decline due to loss of habitat. Shrubland bird species in Vermont include common are maintained on the species such as chestnut-sided warbler, white-throated sparrow, ruffed grouse, Eastern towhee, American woodcock, brown thrasher, Nashville landscape. warbler, and rarer species such as prairie warbler and golden-winged warbler. These habitat types are used by 29 Vermont Species of Greatest Conservation Need. While small areas of shrub and young forest habitat can be important to some wildlife, managing large patches of 5 acres or more provides much greater benefit to the wildlife that rely on the associated habitat conditions to meet their life requirements. Birds such as the chestnut- sided warbler will use smaller areas of young forest, but less common species such as golden-winged warbler require areas of 25 acres or more.
    [Show full text]
  • California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Cal Fire
    CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION CAL FIRE SHASTA – TRINITY UNIT FIRE PLAN Community Wildfire Protection Plan Mike Chuchel Unit Chief Scott McDonald Division Chief – Special Operations Mike Birondo Battalion Chief - Prevention Bureau Kimberly DeSena Fire Captain – Pre Fire Engineering 2008 Shasta – Trinity Unit Fire Plan 1 Table of Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................... 4 Unit Fire Plan Assessments and Data Layers................................................ 5 Fire Plan Applications...................................................................................... 6 Community Wildfire Protection Plan............................................................. 6 Unit Fire Plan Responsibilities........................................................................ 6 Key Issues .......................................................................................................... 7 2. STAKEHOLDERS................................................................................. 8 Fire Safe Organizations.................................................................................... 8 Resource Conservation Districts..................................................................... 9 Watershed Contact List ................................................................................... 9 Government Agencies..................................................................................... 13 3. UNIT OVERVIEW .............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Pyrogeography of Texas, Usa
    Fire Ecology Volume 10, Issue 3, 2014 Stambaugh et al.: Historical Pyrogeography doi: 10.4996/fireecology.1003072 Page 72 RESEARCH ARTICLE HISTORICAL PYROGEOGRAPHY OF TEXAS, USA Michael C. Stambaugh1*, Jeffrey C. Sparks2, and E.R. Abadir1 1 Department of Forestry, University of Missouri, 203 ABNR Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA 2 State Parks Wildland Fire Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 12016 FM 848, Tyler, Texas 75707, USA * Corresponding author: Tel.: +001-573-882-8841; e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT RESUMEN Synthesis of multiple sources of fire La síntesis de múltiples fuentes de informa- history information increases the pow- ción sobre historia del fuego, incrementa el er and reliability of fire regime charac- poder de confiabilidad en la caracterización de terization. Fire regime characterization regímenes de fuego. La caracterización de es- is critical for assessing fire risk, identi- tos regímenes es crítica para determinar el fying climate change impacts, under- riesgo de incendio, identificar impactos del standing ecosystem processes, and de- cambio climático, entender procesos ecosisté- veloping policies and objectives for micos, y desarrollar políticas y objetivos para fire management. For these reasons, el manejo del fuego. Por esas razones, hici- we conducted a literature review and mos una revisión bibliográfica y un análisis es- spatial analysis of historical fire inter- pacial de los intervalos históricos del fuego en vals in Texas, USA, a state with diverse Texas, EEUU, un estado con diversos ambien- fire environments and significant tes de fuego y desafíos importantes en el tema fire-related challenges. Limited litera- de incendios. La literatura que describe regí- ture describing historical fire regimes menes históricos de fuego es limitada, y muy exists and few studies have quantita- pocos estudios han determinado cuantitativa- tively assessed the historical frequency mente la frecuencia histórica de fuegos de ve- of wildland fire.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildland Fire in Ecosystems: Effects of Fire on Fauna
    United States Department of Agriculture Wildland Fire in Forest Service Rocky Mountain Ecosystems Research Station General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-42- volume 1 Effects of Fire on Fauna January 2000 Abstract _____________________________________ Smith, Jane Kapler, ed. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on fauna. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 1. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 83 p. Fires affect animals mainly through effects on their habitat. Fires often cause short-term increases in wildlife foods that contribute to increases in populations of some animals. These increases are moderated by the animals’ ability to thrive in the altered, often simplified, structure of the postfire environment. The extent of fire effects on animal communities generally depends on the extent of change in habitat structure and species composition caused by fire. Stand-replacement fires usually cause greater changes in the faunal communities of forests than in those of grasslands. Within forests, stand- replacement fires usually alter the animal community more dramatically than understory fires. Animal species are adapted to survive the pattern of fire frequency, season, size, severity, and uniformity that characterized their habitat in presettlement times. When fire frequency increases or decreases substantially or fire severity changes from presettlement patterns, habitat for many animal species declines. Keywords: fire effects, fire management, fire regime, habitat, succession, wildlife The volumes in “The Rainbow Series” will be published during the year 2000. To order, check the box or boxes below, fill in the address form, and send to the mailing address listed below.
    [Show full text]
  • Glossary and Acronyms Glossary Glossary
    Glossary andChapter Acronyms 1 ©Kevin Fleming ©Kevin Horseshoe crab eggs Glossary and Acronyms Glossary Glossary 40% Migratory Bird “If a refuge, or portion thereof, has been designated, acquired, reserved, or set Hunting Rule: apart as an inviolate sanctuary, we may only allow hunting of migratory game birds on no more than 40 percent of that refuge, or portion, at any one time unless we find that taking of any such species in more than 40 percent of such area would be beneficial to the species (16 U.S.C. 668dd(d)(1)(A), National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act; 16 U.S.C. 703-712, Migratory Bird Treaty Act; and 16 U.S.C. 715a-715r, Migratory Bird Conservation Act). Abiotic: Not biotic; often referring to the nonliving components of the ecosystem such as water, rocks, and mineral soil. Access: Reasonable availability of and opportunity to participate in quality wildlife- dependent recreation. Accessibility: The state or quality of being easily approached or entered, particularly as it relates to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accessible facilities: Structures accessible for most people with disabilities without assistance; facilities that meet Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards; Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible. [E.g., parking lots, trails, pathways, ramps, picnic and camping areas, restrooms, boating facilities (docks, piers, gangways), fishing facilities, playgrounds, amphitheaters, exhibits, audiovisual programs, and wayside sites.] Acetylcholinesterase: An enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetycholine to choline and acetate. Acetylcholinesterase is secreted by nerve cells at synapses and by muscle cells at neuromuscular junctions. Organophosphorus insecticides act as anti- acetyl cholinesterases by inhibiting the action of cholinesterase thereby causing neurological damage in organisms.
    [Show full text]