Climate change is narrowing and shifting prescribed fire windows in western United States DOI Creative Commons
Daniel L. Swain, John T. Abatzoglou, Crystal A. Kolden

et al.

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(1)

Published: Oct. 3, 2023

Abstract Escalating wildfire activity in the western United States has accelerated adverse societal impacts. Observed increases severity and impacts to communities have diverse anthropogenic causes—including legacy of fire suppression policies, increased development high-risk zones, aridification by a warming climate. However, intentional use as vegetation management tool, known “prescribed fire,” can reduce risk destructive fires restore ecosystem resilience. Prescribed implementation is subject multiple constraints, including number days characterized weather conditions conducive achieving desired outcomes. Here, we quantify observed projected trends frequency seasonality prescribed days. We find that while ~2 C global 2060 will such overall (−17%), particularly during spring (−25%) summer (−31%), winter (+4%) may increasingly emerge comparatively favorable window for especially northern states.

Language: Английский

Perspectives: Thirty years of triad forestry, a critical clarification of theory and recommendations for implementation and testing DOI Creative Commons
Austin Himes, Matthew G. Betts, Christian Messier

et al.

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 510, P. 120103 - 120103

Published: Feb. 23, 2022

The term "triad" in forestry refers to a landscape management regime composed of three parts: (1) intensive plantation management, (2) ecological forest reserves, and (3) matrix forests managed for multiple uses following the principals forestry. In this paper we review sociohistorical academic context triad related concepts. We argue that has potential minimize trade-offs between meeting global demand timber products ecosystem services are typically under-provisioned intensively production. should include monitoring outcomes from each types so specific practices allocation plantations, reserves can be adapted changing societal conditions. describe guidelines implementing may assist policy makers managers putting theory into practice provide real-world example adoption Nova Scotia, Canada. While concept many promising qualities, there challenges its wider adoption; summarize four significant (multiple ownerships, saturation high productivity under change, shifting wood production) offer ways potentially overcome come them. is an auspicious approach, but date very little empirical evidence supporting over alternatives, thus experimental observation studies needed compare efficacy other schemes.

Language: Английский

Citations

46
Considering regeneration failure in the context of changing climate and disturbance regimes in western North America DOI Open Access
Camille S. Stevens‐Rumann, Susan J. Prichard, Ellen Whitman

et al.

Canadian Journal of Forest Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 52(10), P. 1281 - 1302

Published: June 22, 2022

Wildfire-mediated changes to forests have prompted numerous studies on post-fire forest recovery of coniferous forests. Given climate change, a growing body work demonstrates that conifer regeneration in temperate and boreal is declining, phenomenon often termed “regeneration failure.” However, the definition parameters are variable. Characterization drought also varies greatly, thus hindering ability compare results among areas. This review discusses new perspectives failure places these into context fire activity. We focus this three types where well documented: western forests, cold mixed-conifer dry pine To place challenges tree regional trends, we present novel analysis summarizes conditions prior, during, following year large wildfire. demonstrate need assess specific dynamics well-defined metrics. For example, establishment may historically occur over longer periods, current future exacerbate not promote pre-fire structure composition. Many undergoing rapid change type, magnitude, causes be compared As such, should cautious quantifying failure” without providing spatial temporal context.

Language: Английский

Citations

42
Contemporary wildfires are more severe compared to the historical reference period in western US dry conifer forests DOI Creative Commons
Sean A. Parks, Lisa M. Holsinger, Kori Blankenship

et al.

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 544, P. 121232 - 121232

Published: July 3, 2023

Language: Английский

Citations

30
Fuel treatment effectiveness at the landscape scale: a systematic review of simulation studies comparing treatment scenarios in North America DOI Creative Commons
Jeffrey E. Ott, Francis F. Kilkenny, Theresa B. Jain

et al.

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: Feb. 20, 2023

Abstract Background The risk of destructive wildfire on fire-prone landscapes with excessive fuel buildup has prompted the use reduction treatments to protect valued resources from damage. question how maximize effectiveness at landscape scales is important because treating an entire may be undesirable or unfeasible. We reviewed 86 simulation studies that examined landscape-scale treatment for USA Canada. Each these tested effects through comparisons scenarios differing by design other attributes. Results were summarized assess what they reveal about factors determining scales. Qualifying focused primarily but not exclusively forested western and ranged in size 200 3,400,000 ha. Most showed had lower levels compared untreated scenarios. Damaging types decreased while beneficial increased as a result most cases where differentiated. Wildfire outcomes influenced five dimensions (extent, placement, size, prescription, timing) beyond (weather, climate, fire/fuel attributes, management inputs). Studies testing factorial combinations relative importance varied across contexts. Conclusions Simulation have highlighted general principles effective scales, including desirability extensive areas appropriate prescriptions sufficient frequency reduce impacts even under extreme conditions more prevalent future. More specific, context-dependent strategies also been provided, such variety placement schemes prioritizing protection different resources. Optimization algorithms shown helpful timing achieve desired objectives given constraints. Additional work needed expand geographical scope studies, further examine interactions driving factors, longer-term projected climate change.

Language: Английский

Citations

26
Climate change is narrowing and shifting prescribed fire windows in western United States DOI Creative Commons
Daniel L. Swain, John T. Abatzoglou, Crystal A. Kolden

et al.

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(1)

Published: Oct. 3, 2023

Abstract Escalating wildfire activity in the western United States has accelerated adverse societal impacts. Observed increases severity and impacts to communities have diverse anthropogenic causes—including legacy of fire suppression policies, increased development high-risk zones, aridification by a warming climate. However, intentional use as vegetation management tool, known “prescribed fire,” can reduce risk destructive fires restore ecosystem resilience. Prescribed implementation is subject multiple constraints, including number days characterized weather conditions conducive achieving desired outcomes. Here, we quantify observed projected trends frequency seasonality prescribed days. We find that while ~2 C global 2060 will such overall (−17%), particularly during spring (−25%) summer (−31%), winter (+4%) may increasingly emerge comparatively favorable window for especially northern states.

Language: Английский

Citations

23