Cumulative Tree Mortality from Commercial Thinning and a Large Wildfire in the Sierra Nevada, California

Land, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 11(7), С. 995 - 995

Опубликована: Июнь 30, 2022

Debate remains about the effectiveness of commercial thinning as a wildfire management strategy, with some studies reporting somewhat lower severity in thinned forests, and higher severity, during wildfires. However, while vegetation is measure basal area tree mortality, research on this question generally omits mortality from itself. We investigated whether cumulative or was different between unthinned forests Caldor Fire 2021 northern Sierra Nevada mountains California, USA. found significantly areas compared to forests. More needed determine commercially other large western US

Язык: Английский

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Global concerns related to water biology and security: The need for language and policies that safeguard living resources versus those that dilute scientific knowledge

Water Biology and Security, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 2(4), С. 100191 - 100191

Опубликована: Июнь 22, 2023

Increasingly, scientists and non-scientists, especially employees of government agencies, tend to use weak or equivocal language when making statements related science policy governmental regulation. We recent publications provide examples vague versus strong authors write about regulating anthropogenic pressures on natural resources. Lifeless is common in agency reports, documents, even scientific papers published by academics. Such limits success This challenge must be recognized countered as a driver the condition water associated also list sources wording, global how ambiguous political influences have contributed resource degradation, discuss history censorship, offer possible solutions for more direct discourse. found that: (1) was concluding not only employees; (2) discussed confusing concerns an publication; (3) sometimes used active, language. Key drivers include: holding old paradigms resisting new knowledge; uncertainty; institutional manuscript review policies; (4) employment funding insecurity; (5) avoiding appearance advocacy. Examples with euphemistic included climate change, flow physical habitat alteration, dams, agriculture, mining, forestry, fisheries, well resistance towards monitoring, assessing, reporting ecological conditions. Suggestions mitigating involve protections greater focus ethics. conclude that should resist calls employ imprecise Instead, they advocates prescriptive protective actions—based their science—to halt reverse systemic degradation those

Язык: Английский

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Rapid on‐ground assessment after the 2019–2020 megafires reveals new information on rare and threatened plants in northern New South Wales, Australia

Austral Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 49(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2024

Abstract Lack of ecological knowledge is a major challenge for effective conservation threatened plant species in Australia as disturbance events, such wildfire, increase frequency and magnitude. Rapid on‐ground surveys are increasingly important to inform recovery strategies rare plants response extreme wildfire yet resources rarely available deploy time‐sensitive surveys. Here, we utilize rapid survey monitoring program document basic biological information 21 from the New England bioregion northern South Wales, which were affected by catastrophic 2019–2020 megafires. Our results fill an gap ecology, population size, distribution fire these taxa, first time pattern within Torrington State Conservation Area reveal previously undocumented plant–insect interactions nine species, including likely pollination Persoonia terminalis ssp. Monotaxis macrophylla native bee (Hymenoptera) fly (Diptera) species. findings that two ( Cassinia heleniae Hakea macrorrhyncha ) have scarce low sizes, despite neither having listing their threat status should be urgently assessed. Simple can more cost delivering long‐term outcomes taxa advocate future funding prioritisation processes must support immediate delivery events.

Язык: Английский

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California wildfire smoke contributes to a positive atmospheric temperature anomaly over the western United States

Atmospheric chemistry and physics, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 24(11), С. 6937 - 6963

Опубликована: Июнь 14, 2024

Abstract. Wildfires in the southwestern United States, particularly northern California (nCA), have grown size and severity past decade. As they larger, been associated with large emissions of absorbing aerosols heat into troposphere. Utilizing satellite observations from MODIS, CERES, AIRS as well reanalysis MERRA-2, meteorology fires during wildfire season (June–October) was discerned over nCA-NV (northern Nevada) region period 2003–2022. a higher probability occurring on days positive temperature (T) anomalies negative relative humidity (RH) anomalies, making it difficult to discern radiative effects that are concurrent fires. To attempt better isolate fire meteorological variables, such clouds precipitation, variable high emission (90th percentile) were compared low (10th further stratified based whether surface (RHs) anomalously (75th or (25th typical conditions. Comparing simultaneously RHs data data, tropospheric T found be AOD anomalies. Further investigation due shortwave absorption, atmosphere at rate 0.041 ± 0.016 0.093 0.019 K d−1, depending RH conditions negative. The significant 850–300 hPa both 75th percentile Furthermore, under CF This anomaly is significantly regional precipitation net top-of-atmosphere flux (a warming effect) certain areas. T, RH, spatial correlation Additionally, vertical profile these variables same stratification consistent black carbon mass mixing ratio MERRA-2. However, causality discern, study warranted determine what extent contributing

Язык: Английский

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Satellite Observations Reveal Northern California Wildfire Aerosols Reduce Cloud Cover in California and Nevada Through Semi-Direct Effects

Опубликована: Янв. 4, 2024

Abstract. Wildfires in the southwestern United States, particularly northern California (nCA), have grown size and severity past decade. As they larger, been associated with large emissions of absorbing aerosols to troposphere. Utilizing satellite observations from MODIS, CERES, AIRS, CALIPSO, meteorological effects fires during wildfire season (June–October) were discerned over nCA-NV (northern Nevada) region 2003–2022 time frame. higher temperatures low relative humidity RH dominate high surface pressure ps atmospheric conditions, on (90th percentile) fire days compared (10th stratified based whether was anomalously or percentile). An increase tropospheric found be concurrent more aerosol aloft, which is significant reductions both 90th 10th percentile conditions. Furthermore, under conditions are reduced cloud fraction CF, consistent traditionally-defined aerosol- semi-direct effect. The turn, T OA SW radiative flux, a warmer surface, less precipitation. These changes could create positive feedback that intensify weather, therefore extend lifetime impacts.

Язык: Английский

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