Authors

R. F. Noss; J. F. Franklin; W. L. Baker; T. Schoennagel;P. B. Moyle

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Front. Ecol. Environ.

Keywords

PONDEROSA PINE FORESTS; KLAMATH MOUNTAINS; YELLOWSTONE FIRES; CENTRAL; COLORADO; CONIFER FORESTS; STAND DYNAMICS; INTERIOR WEST; NATIONAL-PARK; PUBLIC LANDS; WILDFIRE; Ecology; Environmental Sciences

Abstract

The management of fire-prone forests is one of the most controversial natural resource issues in the US today, particularly in the west of the country. Although vegetation and wildlife in these forests are adapted to fire, the historical range of fire frequency and severity was huge. When fire regimes are altered by human activity, major effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function are unavoidable. We review the ecological science relevant to developing and implementing fire and fuel management policies for forests before, during, and after wildfires. Fire exclusion led to major deviations from historical variability in many dry, low-elevation forests, but not in other forests, such as those characterized by high severity fires recurring at intervals longer than the period of active fire exclusion. Restoration and management of fire-prone forests should be precautionary, allow or mimic natural fire regimes as much as possible, and generally avoid intensive practices such as post-fire logging and planting.

Journal Title

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Volume

4

Issue/Number

9

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Document Type

Review

Language

English

First Page

481

Last Page

487

WOS Identifier

WOS:000241758700020

ISSN

1540-9295

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