Ecological Foundations of Fire Management in North American Forests and Shrubland Ecosystems
The degree to which human intervention has modified fire frequency, intensity, and severity varies greatly among different ecosystems, and must be considered when planning to alter fuel loads or implement restorative treatments.
Detailed discussion of six ecosystems — ponderosa pine forest (western North America), chaparral (California), boreal forest (Alaska and Canada), Great Basin sagebrush (intermountain West), pine and pine-hardwood forests (Southern Appalachian Mountains), and longleaf pine (Southeastern United States) — illustrates the complexity of fire regimes and that fire management requires a clear regional focus that recognizes where conflicts might exist between fire hazard reduction and resource needs.
Authors: J.E. Keeley, G.H. Aplet, N.L. Christensen, S.C. Conard, E.A. Johnson, D.L. Peterson, T.W. Swetnam
About Greg Aplet, Ph.D.
Greg Aplet is the director of ecology at the Central Rockies Office, where he specializes in ecosystem management and the conservation of biological diversity and forest ecosystem health.
He joined The Wilderness... More about Greg Aplet, Ph.D.
