Conifer regeneration in stand-replacement portions of a large mixed-severity wildfire in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains

D.C. Donato; J.B. Fontaine; J.L. Campbell; W.D. Robinson; J.B. Kauffman; B.E. Law

doi:10.1139/X09-016

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Conifer regeneration in stand-replacement portions of a large mixed-severity wildfire in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains

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Conifer regeneration in stand-replacement portions of a large mixed-severity wildfire in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains

D.C. Donato, J.B. Fontaine, J.L. Campbell, W.D. Robinson, J.B. Kauffman and B.E. Law

Canadian Journal of Forest Research, Vol.39(4), pp.823-838

2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1139/X09-016

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Abstract

Large-scale wildfires (∼ 104-106 ha) have the potential to eliminate seed sources over broad areas and thus may lead to qualitatively different regeneration dynamics than in small burns; however, regeneration after such events has received little study in temperate forests. Following a 200000 ha mixed-severity wildfire in Oregon, USA, we quantified (1) conifer and broadleaf regeneration in stand-replacement patches 2 and 4 years postfire; and (2) the relative importance of isolation from seed sources (live trees) versus local site conditions in controlling regeneration. Patch-scale conifer regeneration density (72%-80% Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb). Franco)) varied widely, from 127 to 6494 stems-ha-1. Median densities were 1721 and 1603 stems-ha-1 2 and 4 years postfire, respectively, i.e., ∼12 times prefire overstory densities (134 stems-ha-1). Because of the complex burn mosaic, ∼58% of stand-replacement area was ≤200 m from a live-tree edge (seed source), and ∼81% was ≤400 m. Median conifer density exceeded 1000 stems-ha-1 out to a distance of 400 m from an edge before declining farther away. The strongest controls on regeneration were distance to live trees and soil parent material, with skeletal coarse-grained soils supporting lower densities (133 stems-ha-1) than fine-grained soils (729-1492 stems-ha-1). Other site factors (e.g., topography, broadleaf cover) had little association with conifer regeneration. The mixed-severity fire pattern strongly influenced the regeneration process by providing seed sources throughout much of the burned landscape.

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Title: Conifer regeneration in stand-replacement portions of a large mixed-severity wildfire in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains
Authors/Creators: D.C. Donato (Author/Creator)
J.B. Fontaine (Author/Creator)
J.L. Campbell (Author/Creator)
W.D. Robinson (Author/Creator)
J.B. Kauffman (Author/Creator)
B.E. Law (Author/Creator)
Publication Details: Canadian Journal of Forest Research, Vol.39(4), pp.823-838
Publisher: NRC Research Press
Identifiers: 991005540887307891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Environmental Science
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.40 Forestry; 3.40.55 Forest Dynamics
Web Of Science research areas: Forestry
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science